HAZING! IT ' S AGAINST THE LAW!( If you have to ask, it probably is...)
Hazing is a criminal offense in more than 40 states. Liability insurance does not usually cover a criminal act— in other words, if you are involved in hazing, and the victim names you in a lawsuit, the national liability insurance policy may not provide coverage, which includes paying for an attorney to represent you. This list of hazing activities and examples is intended as a guide. It is not complete. With few exceptions, singling out new or pledged members to do something that members do not have to do is hazing. Ask yourselves: Would you feel comfortable if the parents of your pledged members were present during the activity? Consent by new or pledged members or a member is not a defense to hazing. Examples:
1. Forced or“ required” road trips off campus, kidnaps of pledged or initiated members. This prohibition does not affect trips to events or, for example, to the headquarters. It addresses situations, for example, in which pledged or initiated members are left stranded or who must make a series of stops, have photos taken to verify that they were at a site or sites. 2. Any form of physical activities, calisthenics or exercise. 3. Scavenger hunts, regardless of whether the hunts promote theft, vandalism, and destruction of property or humiliating public acts 4. Paddling, paddle swats, or any other striking, beating, or hitting 5. Kidnappings; transporting a pledged or initiated member against his or her will 6. All-night work or study sessions 7. Forcing or requiring pledged or initiated members to ingest any liquid or solid matter, edible or nonedible( e. g., any alcoholic substance, chewing tobacco, goldfish, raw onions, spoiled food, etc.) 8. Dropping food( eggs, grapes, liver, etc.) or any other item into the mouths of pledged or initiated members.
9. Requiring pledged or initiated members to wear unusual, conspicuous, embarrassing, or uncomfortable clothing, or clothing that is not normally considered to be in good taste( e. g., burlap underwear) 10. Uncomfortable or inconvenient sleeping arrangements, including sleeping outdoors 11. Pledged member-initiated member games designed to physically harm members of the pledge class. 12. Pledged member shows performed in front of brothers or sisters
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