Berry College does not tolerate hazing in any form. The college’s position on hazing complies with all applicable state and federal laws on hazing. Berry College does not permit the hazing of a student as a requirement for membership, participation, or obtaining a leadership position in any student organization, athletic team, LifeWorks position, club, or group. All acts of hazing by any organization, member, or alumnus are specifically forbidden.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) introduces definitions of hazing and student organizations, ensuring that higher education institutions report hazing incident in their Clery Reports. In complying with SCHA, Berry is also required to comply with any state laws to extent they do not conflict with, or counteract, the SCHA.
SCHA defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person [whether individually or in concert with other persons] against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that [I] is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization, [e.g., a club, student government, athletic team]; and [II] causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization [such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team], of physical or psychological injury, including (a) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; (b) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; (c) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; (d) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; (e ) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; (f) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and (g) any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law."
Berry College provides mandatory training for all students and employees.
Students and/or student organizations are encouraged to report any suspected hazing. If you witness or experience hazing, report it immediately to ensure a safe and inclusive student environment. Call Campus Police (706.236.2622) or 911 if you or someone else is in danger.
Any Berry College employee who becomes aware of hazing activity or a suspected incident of hazing activity on or off-campus is required to report to the Dean of Students Office (706.236.2207) or complete the Campus Complaint Form.
All students who become aware of hazing activity or suspected hazing activity on or off-campus should report to the Dean of Students Office (706.236.2207) or complete the Campus Complaint Form.
Additional Resources and Information
Support for Impacted Students
If you or someone you know has been hazed or has witnessed hazing, there are campus support services available to help. The following Berry College resources are confidential:
Stop Campus Hazing Act Compliance and Public Reporting
In compliance with the Georgia SB 85 "Max Gruver Act", Berry College will publicly disclose administrative adjudication of hazing or hazing-related findings.
The College will publish public reports of confirmed violations of the anti-hazing policy, as required by the SCHA. These reports are accessible on the College’s official website and begin with records from the 2024-25 academic year.
Reports are updated twice annually, in January and August, to ensure timely and accurate information is available to students, families and the campus community.