Hazing Policy and Prevention Statement

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is committed to providing a safe and supportive educational environment for all students. Hazing in any form is strictly prohibited and violates university policy, Missouri state law, and federal legislation.

Click to access a printable version of Missouri S&T Hazing Policy and Prevention Statement

Graphic with True Belonging statement by Brene Brown

As defined under CRR 200.010 C(19) 

Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed (whether individually or in concert) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:

  1. Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a group or organization; and
  2. Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the University or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury, including:
    • Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity;
    • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
    • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
    • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
    • Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
    • Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
    • 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.

Failure by a group's or organization's executive officers to intervene to prevent, discourage, and/or report hazing of which they are aware or reasonably should be aware also will be deemed a violation of this policy.

Missouri State Law prohibits hazing under several statutes:

Federal Law

The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires reporting and transparency regarding hazing incidents involving recognized student organizations.

If you experience, witness, or become aware of hazing activities, you are encouraged to report the incident immediately through any of the following methods:

Primary Reporting Options:

Additional Reporting Resources:

  • Any Campus Security Authority (CSA), defined as one who has “significant responsibility for student and campus activities."
    For more information visit: https://police.mst.edu/programs/info/clery/
  • Residence Hall staff
  • Faculty or staff members
  • Title IX Coordinator (if sexual misconduct is involved)

Reports can be made anonymously, though this may limit the university's ability to investigate and respond. All reports will be taken seriously and investigated promptly.

University Definition of Student Organization 

  • Section 200.020(B)(4) - Student Organization. A recognized student organization which has received official approval in accordance with Section 250.010 of the Collected Rules and Regulations. Three members of the organization may represent the student organization in all proceedings. The registered faculty/staff adviser may be present, but may not act on behalf of the student organization. The organization may utilize an attorney in all proceedings as it chooses, subject to other provisions in this rule. Each student organization shall designate, and such designation shall be on file with the University, the individual who will receive all notices, findings, determinations and decisions on behalf of the student organization. If the student organization fails to have a designation on file with the University, the President of the organization is the default designee. The registered faculty/staff adviser will also be sent a courtesy copy of all notices, findings, determinations and decisions.

Per the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a student organization is “an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.”

The University recognizes that there may be situations where a student organization that is not recognized by the institution may be reported for alleged hazing incidents. Although these instances will not be included in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, they will be included in the Annual Security Report. 

 

When a hazing allegation is reported, Missouri S&T will follow established procedures under CRR Section 200.020 – Rules of Procedures in Student and Student Organization Conduct Matters:

Preliminary Procedures

  1. Initial Response: The Primary Administrative Officer will respond to reports based on relevant factors including severity of potential misconduct, health and safety considerations, and impact on the University community

  2. Immediate Safety Measures: The Chancellor or designee may implement temporary actions if the student organization's continued activities would seriously disrupt the University or constitute a danger to health, safety, or welfare

  3. Alternative Resolutions: The Primary Administrative Officer may explore educational solutions or alternative resolutions at any point in the process

Investigation Phase

  1. Formal Investigation: The Primary Administrative Officer will:
    • Investigate alleged hazing misconduct before initiating formal conduct procedures
    • Provide the student or student organization opportunity to present their version of events
    • Apply the preponderance of the evidence standard in determining whether to proceed
    • Utilize consultations as appropriate, with advance notice of the right to have an adviser present

Disposition Options

  1. Alternative Resolutions: The Primary Administrative Officer may explore educational solutions or alternative resolutions at any point in the process

  2. Informal Disposition: The Primary Administrative Officer may propose informal resolution consisting of preliminary determination and appropriate remedies/sanctions, with 10 business days for the accused to accept or reject

  3. Formal Procedures: If informal disposition is rejected or not offered, cases proceed to the Student Conduct Committee under established hearing procedures

Due Process Protections

Throughout the investigation, accused students and student organizations have rights including:

  • To be treated with respect and free from retaliation
  • To receive timely written notice of charges and proceedings
  • To have an adviser (who may, but is not required to be an attorney) present at all proceedings
  • To remain silent without such silence being used as evidence
  • To review evidence and present witnesses and information
  • To petition for review or appeal findings through established procedures

Federal Reporting Integration

  1. Data Collection: Investigation outcomes will be documented to support federal reporting requirements under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, including statistics for Annual Security Reports and findings for Campus Hazing Transparency Reports

  2. Timeline Coordination: Investigations will be conducted with consideration for federal reporting deadlines and transparency requirements

Investigations will be conducted promptly and fairly, with consideration for the educational mission of the student conduct process while ensuring compliance with federal transparency and reporting obligations.

Students, student organizations, and individuals found responsible for hazing may face sanctions as outlined under CRR Section 200.020(C) including the following:

Individual Sanctions:

  • Warning or reprimand
  • Educational programming
  • Community service
  • Probation
  • Suspension, dismissal, or expulsion
  • Referral for criminal prosecution

Organizational Sanctions:

  • Warning or reprimand
  • Loss of recognition or privileges
  • Probation with conditions
  • Suspension of activities
  • Withdrawal of recognition

Missouri Law § 578.365. Hazing — consent not a defense outlines the offense of hazing as a class A misdemeanor, unless the act creates a substantial risk to the life of the student or prospective member, in which case it is a class D felony.

Support Resources:

  • Student Well-Being (counseling, health promotion, and case management) Services: (573) 341-4211, wellbeing@mst.edu, 204 Norwood Hall
  • Student Health Services: (573) 341-4284, mstshs@mst.edu, 910 W. 10th St.
  • Dean of Students Office: (573) 341-4209, dos@mst.edu, 105 Norwood Hall
  • Equity and Title IX: (573) 341-7734, equity@mst.edu, 900 Innovation Drive, Suite 500
  • University Polic: (573) 341-4300, police@mst.edu, 205 West 12th Street

Crisis Resources:

  • Emergency: 911
  • Campus Police: (573) 341-4300
  • Rave Guardian App: Rave Guardian – S&T Alert
  • Crisis Hotline: Text HOME to 741741 or call 988
  • Compass Health Crisis Access Point: 833-356-2427 at1450 East 10th Street, Rolla

Prevention and Education

Missouri S&T is committed to preventing hazing through comprehensive education and awareness programs that include:

Additional Prevention Resources

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

In accordance with federal law, Missouri S&T maintains a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that provides information about findings against recognized student organizations for hazing violations. This report is updated at least twice annually and is available at:

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report must include each incident involving any established or recognized student organization for which a finding of responsibility is issued relating to a hazing violation, including:

  • The name of such student organization;
  • A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility, including whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs,
    • the findings of the institution, and
    • any sanctions placed on the student organization by the institution, as applicable; and
  • The dates on which: The incident was alleged to have occurred
    • The investigation into the incident was initiated
    • The investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred, and
    • The institution provided notice to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation.
      • The Campus Hazing Transparency report cannot include personally identifiable information. The first Campus Hazing Transparency Report will be released by December 23, 2025, and will include data from July 1, 2025, through the date of release. After publication, the report will be updated biannually and updated at least 10 days prior to the start of each fall and spring semester thereafter.

Annual Security Report: Statistics on reported hazing incidents are included in our Annual Security Report, available at: https://police.mst.edu/programs/info/clery/