• Hazing
• Discrimination

Hazing

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith prohibits hazing. According to Arkansas Code 6-5-202 by the Arkansas Legislature, the offense of hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. An adjudication of guilt by a criminal court is not necessary for the application of discipline by the University if it is determined by the University that the student engaged in the prohibited conduct.

Recognized student organizations suffer serious consequences when they encourage or take part in hazing.

According to the State of Arkansas, hazing is defined as:

1. Any willful act on or off the property of any school, college, university or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others which is directed against any other student, and done for the purpose of intimidating the student attacked by threatening him with social or other ostracism or of submitting such student to ignominy, shame or disgrace among his fellow students and acts calculated to produce such results; or
   
2. The playing of abusive or truculent tricks on or off the property of any school, college, university or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others, upon another student to frighten or scare him; or
   
3. Any willful act on or off the property of any school, college, university or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others which is directed against any other student, and done for the purpose of humbling the pride, stifling the ambition, or impairing the courage of the student attacked or to discourage him from remaining in that school, college, university or other educational institution, or reasonably to cause him to leave the institution rather than submit to such acts; or
   
4. Any willful act on or off the property of any school, college, university or other educational institution in Arkansas by one (1) student alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming; or seriously offering, threatening, or attempting to strike, beat, bruise or maim; or to do or seriously offer, threaten or attempt to do physical violence to any student of any such educational institution; or any assault upon any such student made for the purpose of committing any of the acts, or producing any of the results, to such student as defined in this section.

(Arkansas Hazing Law 6-5-201)

Arkansas State Law can be found at www.stophazing.org

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith addresses the rights of others in the Student Handbook: “The rights of all students, faculty, staff and any other person on the University campus must be honored. Participation in acts which are degrading or injurious or which hold another against his or her will, written or oral threats and the physical and verbal abuse of another person are specifically prohibited.”

Hazing is:

• Not simply a fraternity or sorority issue.
• An act of power and control over another.
• Premeditated and is not accidental.

Keep the hazing laws in mind when planning organizational events.

• Will the proposed activity build organizational unity?
• Does it improve the camaraderie of the membership?
• Does it put the organization in the best light?
• How does this event promote the dignity of and respect for its members?

Adapted from www.stophazing.org

Back to the Student Organization Handbook

Discrimination

There are both federal and state laws concerning racial, religious, and disability discrimination. The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith also has guidelines in regards to discrimination. Violations of these policies will lead to disciplinary action by the University. Please see the Student Handbook for additional information.

In order to abide by the policies for a discrimination-free campus, please consider the following:

• Do your best to be reasonable in your accommodations of potential members who may be different from you. You may need to rearrange your room set-up to accommodate those in wheelchairs or others with physical limitations.
• Strive to work with groups that are different from you.
• Be sensitive to others so that if any bigotry or prejudice arises within your group you have a plan of action to take necessary steps to remedy the situation.
• Please report any incident of discrimination, harassment or hazing to the office of the Dean of Students immediately.

Back to the Student Organization Handbook