General Standards of Conduct
Hazing: The college prohibits hazing, which is defined as any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, or which produces ridicule, embarrassment, harassment, intimidation or other similar result, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in, a group or organization. Examples include paddling, creating excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shock, public stunts, and morally degrading or humiliating games and activities. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense of this violation, and apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is also seen as a violation of this policy.
All campus organizations are not permitted to haze and may confer membership on new members in many different ways. They must not have any type of informal initiations that incorporate hazing, such as "Hell Week." All initiations must take place within the chapter houses and must not cause any kind of public nuisance or disturbance.
Nothing may be done to a new or active member that may involve the possibility of physical injury. Students must not be asked to violate their personal or moral beliefs as a condition of initiation. The initiation program must not in any way interfere with a student's academic work and may not do any harm to the student in any way.
Examples of Hazing
Participant endures ridicule, embarrassment, and must complete humiliating tasks in order to feel like a part of the group. Activities include but are not limited to:
- Assigning demerits
- Name calling
- Line-ups and drills/tests
- Expecting certain items to be in one's possession
- Doing extra house chores or expected to run errands for members, alumni, or others affiliated with the members
Participant endures frustration, confusion, stress, and physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the group. Activities include but are not limited to:
Verbal abuse
- Degrading, crude, or humiliating acts
- Sleep deprivation or expectations of extreme late night event attendance or other type of chapter participation at risk of losing a bid/membership
- Perform personal service to initiated members or those affiliated with members
Participant endures physical, emotional, and/or psychological harm in order to feel like part of the group. Activities include but are not limited to:
- Forced or coerced consumption of any food or substance, including but not limited to drugs and alcohol
- Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
- Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or conditions
- Bondage/abductions/kidnaps
Reporting Hazing
To report an incident of hazing you can:
Resources for Support on Campus
- Fraternity/Sorority Life Advisor, Campuslife@knox.edu, 309-341-7527
- Campus Safety, 309-341-7979
- Campus Life Office, campuslife@knox.edu, 309-341-7527
- Campus Safety, 309-341-7979
For more information: