Hazing Policy and Reporting Form

Fraternity & Sorority Life

Bethel University takes hazing incidents seriously as illegal acts based on Tennessee State Law and will react accordingly to all valid report submissions.

Report a Hazing Incident

To report a Hazing Incident that falls within the Hazing Policy of Bethel University fill out the following student form.

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Email Address

Date of Incident

Time of Incident

Location of Incident

Name of Involved Party #1

Gender

Role of Party Involved

Name of Involved Party #2

Gender of Party #2

Role of Involved Party #2

Name of Involved Party #3

Gender of Involved Party #3

Role of Involved Party #3

Name of Organization You are Reporting

Please provide a detailed description of the incident/concern using specific, concise, objective language.

How did you become aware of the act(s) and/or event(s)?

Are there other individuals who could corroborate the information that you are providing? If so, please provide their names nad contact information, if available.

Do you have photos, video, email, or other supporting documentst that can back your statement?

Hazing Policy

Bethel University students are prohibited, in any context and anywhere, from engaging in any act, whether the action is physical, mental, emotional, or psychological, which subjects another, voluntarily or involuntarily, to anything which may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harm, or intimidate.

Individual students and student organizations guilty of hazing will be disciplined individually and as an organization. Recognition or registration by the University of an organization that engages in, allows, or condones hazing may be withdrawn or denied.

For more information, visit StopHazing Prevention Education.

Hazing Classification

Bethel University prohibits illegal hazing, which includes any of the following acts that are classified as hazing:

Creation of excessive fatigue.
Physical and psychological shocks.
Wearing publicly apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste.
Engaging in public stunts and jokes, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities.
Late night sessions which interfere with scholastic activities.
Any other activities which are not consistent with the regulations and policies of Bethel University.

Tennessee State Law

According to Tennessee State Law 49-7-123, hazing as used in this section is prohibited at a higher education institution, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Hazing" means any intentional or reckless act in Tennessee on or off the property of any higher education institution by one (1) student acting alone or with others which is directed against any other student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger such student's mental or physical health or safety. "Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization; and

(2) "Higher education institution" means a public or private college, community college, or university.

(b) Each higher education institution shall adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing by any student or organization operating under the sanction of the institution. The policy shall be distributed or made available to each student at the beginning of each school year. Time shall be set aside during orientation to specifically discuss the policy and its ramifications as a criminal offense and the institutional penalties that may be imposed by the higher education institution.

[Acts 1995, ch. 500, § 1.]

Tennessee State Law 49-2-120 prohibition against hazing addendum is as follows:

(b) The governing body of each LEA shall adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing by any student or organization operating under the sanction of the LEA. The policy shall be distributed or made available to each student at the beginning of each school year. During the first month of each new school year, time shall be set aside to specifically discuss the policy and its ramifications as a criminal offense and the penalties that may be imposed by the LEA.

[Acts 2001, ch. 196, § 1.]