Mississippi Christian University Anti-Hazing Policy
Purpose
At Mississippi Christian University (MC), we believe every person is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Our community is founded on the biblical principles of leading by serving others, offering encouragement, and building relationships grounded in respect and care. Student organizations, athletic teams, tribes, and campus groups are intended to foster meaningful relationships, spiritual growth, and a sense of belonging. Hazing is incompatible with these values and inconsistent with the University’s mission and expectations for student conduct. Accordingly, MC maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward hazing in any form.
This policy is adopted in accordance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and applicable provisions of Mississippi law, including Mississippi Code § 97-3-105. Individuals or organizations found responsible for hazing, encouraging hazing, facilitating hazing, retaliating against those who report hazing, or otherwise violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct or other University policy, including suspension, expulsion, loss of organizational recognition, and referral to law enforcement when appropriate.
Definitions
Hazing
For purposes of this policy, hazing has the meaning defined in the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by one person or by a group against another person, regardless of the willingness of that person to participate, that:
- occurs in connection with initiation into, affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization; and
- causes or creates a risk, beyond the ordinary risks associated with participation in the institution or organization, of physical or psychological injury.
Hazing includes, but is not limited to:
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing harmful substances on another person's body, or similar conduct.
- Causing, coercing, or encouraging sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, extreme physical exercise, or similar activities.
- Causing, coercing, or encouraging another person to consume food, liquids, alcohol, drugs, or other substances.
- Causing, coercing, or encouraging another person to engage in sexual acts.
- Activities that place another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through threatening words or conduct.
- Conduct involving violations of federal, state, Tribal, or local law.
- Requiring another person to commit a criminal act as a condition of membership or participation.
A person's willingness to participate, prior experience, or consent does not excuse or justify hazing.
Student
A Student is any individual who is enrolled in, attending, accepted for admission to, or intending to enroll in Mississippi Christian University during any regular academic term.
Student Organization
A Student Organization includes any club, tribe, fraternity, honor society, athletic team, club sport, performing arts group, student government organization, ministry organization, or other association in which two or more members are MC students, whether or not the organization is formally recognized by the University.
Related Individual
A Related Individual is any person connected to a student organization or University activity, including but not limited to officers, members, prospective members, new members, advisors, coaches, volunteers, alumni, or guests.
Reporting Party
A Reporting Party is any individual who reports alleged hazing or other conduct prohibited by this policy, regardless of whether that individual was personally subjected to the conduct.
Scope and Applicability
This policy applies to all members of the MC community, including:
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All Students at MC, regardless of classification, enrollment status, or participation in campus activities.
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All recognized or affiliated Student Organizations, both “recognized and unrecognized,” including tribes, clubs, academic organizations, honor societies, athletic teams, residence hall organizations, student leadership organizations, and any other student groups.
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Informal groups or associations primarily composed of MC students whose activities are connected to the University.
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Faculty, staff, coaches, advisors, volunteers, alumni, and other individuals who participate in, advise, supervise, support, or interact with student organizations or activities governed by this policy.
This policy applies to conduct occurring on or off campus whenever the conduct is connected to a student organization, University-sponsored activity, or otherwise affects the safety, well-being, or educational environment of the MC community.
Statement of Community Expectations
Membership in a student organization at MC is a privilege that carries both opportunities and responsibilities. Students are encouraged to build organizations that reflect Christ through humility, integrity, respect, service, and genuine care for one another.
Healthy traditions strengthen community by welcoming new members with encouragement, fellowship, and shared purpose. Traditions that require humiliation, intimidation, coercion, isolation, or physical or emotional harm, even when presented as voluntary or longstanding traditions, are inconsistent with the University's mission and violate this policy.
Every member of the MC community shares responsibility for creating an environment where students are welcomed with dignity, encouraged in their growth, and able to participate fully without fear of harm or embarrassment.
Community Expectations and Prohibited Conduct
Community Expectations
Membership in any student organization should never be conditioned upon acts that humiliate, intimidate, endanger, exploit, or demean another person. Activities intended to build unity, celebrate membership, or preserve organizational traditions must always respect the dignity, safety, and well-being of every participant.
Students, organization leaders, advisors, coaches, sponsors, alumni, and all related individuals share responsibility for promoting a culture in which hazing is neither accepted nor ignored.
Prohibited Conduct
MC strictly prohibits hazing in all forms. No individual or student organization may:
- Plan, organize, direct, participate in, encourage, facilitate, or knowingly permit hazing.
- Request, pressure, coerce, or require another person to participate in hazing, regardless of that person’s willingness or apparent consent.
- Use organizational traditions, initiation activities, membership requirements, or team-building exercises as justification for conduct that violates this policy.
- Retaliate against, intimidate, threaten, or otherwise discourage any individual from reporting suspected hazing or participating in a university investigation.
- Knowingly conceal, falsify, or withhold information related to an alleged hazing incident.
Organizations may be held responsible for hazing committed by individual members when organizational leaders knew or reasonably should have known of the conduct, failed to take appropriate action, or permitted a culture in which hazing was encouraged or tolerated.
Examples of Prohibited Hazing Activities
The following examples are illustrative and are not intended to be exhaustive.
Physical Hazing
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Forced or excessive physical exercise unrelated to the legitimate purpose of an athletic program.
- Sleep deprivation.
- Exposure to extreme weather or environmental conditions.
- Confinement or restraint.
- Physical assault or striking another individual.
- Branding, tattooing, shaving, or other unwanted alteration of a person's appearance.
- Any activity that creates an unreasonable risk of physical injury.
Psychological or Emotional Hazing
Examples include:
- Public humiliation or ridicule.
- Verbal abuse or degrading language.
- Isolation from friends, classmates, or family members.
- Requiring silence or secrecy to conceal prohibited activity.
- Intimidation, threats, or conduct intended to cause fear, embarrassment that goes beyond ordinary social awkwardness, or emotional distress.
- Requiring members to perform degrading, demeaning, or humiliating acts.
Substance-Related Hazing
Examples include:
- Requiring or encouraging the consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications without a valid prescription, excessive amounts of food or liquids, or any other substance.
- Pressuring individuals to participate in drinking games or substance-related activities as a condition of membership or acceptance.
Financial or Service Hazing
Examples include:
- Requiring unreasonable financial expenditures beyond established membership dues or fees.
- Compelling members to perform unreasonable personal errands, servitude, or labor for the benefit of individual members that is unrelated to the legitimate mission of the organization.
- Requiring participation in activities that interfere with a student's academic responsibilities, employment, health, or personal well-being.
Criminal or Dangerous Conduct
Examples include:
- Activities that violate federal, state, or local law.
- Theft, vandalism, trespassing, or destruction of property.
- Kidnapping, abandonment, or transportation of individuals without their consent.
- Conduct that places another person at substantial risk of physical or emotional harm.
Healthy Organizational Traditions
MC encourages student organizations to develop traditions that strengthen community and reflect the University's Christian mission. Organizations are encouraged to evaluate traditions regularly to ensure they promote belonging, spiritual growth, and leadership without creating unnecessary risk of physical or psychological injury on new or existing members.
Organizational Responsibility
Student organizations are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent hazing and promote a healthy organizational culture. Organization officers and advisors should actively communicate the University's expectations, model appropriate behavior, and address concerns promptly when they arise.
Failure to exercise responsible leadership may result in disciplinary action against both the individuals involved and the organization itself.
Reporting, Response, and Investigation Procedures
Responsibility to Report
At MC, protecting one another is a shared responsibility. In keeping with our commitment to love and serve one another, members of the MC community are expected to speak up when they become aware of conduct that may place others at risk.
Students, faculty, staff, advisors, coaches, sponsors, and other members of the MC community should promptly report suspected hazing, attempted hazing, or retaliation related to a hazing report.
Reports may be made regardless of whether the individual personally experienced the conduct, whether the conduct occurred on or off campus, or whether the individual involved wishes to pursue formal disciplinary action.
Failing to report known hazing or intentionally allowing hazing to continue may result in disciplinary action when a person had a responsibility to report or intervene.
Reporting Options
Concerns related to hazing may be reported through any of the following channels:
Office of Public Safety (24/7)
601-925-3204
Office of the Vice President for the Student Experience/Dean of Students
Dr. Jonathan Ambrose
601-925-3275
Emergency Situations
If hazing involves an immediate threat to a person's health or safety, individuals should contact emergency services by calling 911 or Campus Safety at 601-925-3204.
When immediate medical attention is needed, the safety and well-being of the individual takes priority over concerns about organizational consequences or disciplinary action.
Good Faith Reporting and Protection from Retaliation
MC prohibits retaliation against any individual who, in good faith:
- Reports suspected hazing.
- Participates in an investigation.
- Provides information related to an alleged violation.
- Supports another individual involved in the reporting process.
Retaliation includes threats, intimidation, harassment, exclusion, adverse treatment, or any action intended to discourage an individual from participating in the university's response process.
Knowingly submitting false information or making a report in bad faith may result in disciplinary action. A report made in good faith will not result in discipline simply because the university is unable to substantiate the allegation.
Confidentiality and Privacy
MC will make reasonable efforts to protect the privacy of individuals involved in hazing reports while fulfilling its responsibility to investigate concerns, protect the campus community, and comply with applicable laws and university policies.
Information related to a report will be shared only with individuals who have a legitimate educational or administrative need to know or as required by law.
Individuals who report hazing may request that their identity remain confidential when possible; however, complete confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed if the university has an obligation to investigate or take action to protect the safety of the campus community.
Initial Review and Investigation
Upon receiving a hazing report, the Office of the Vice President for the Student Experience/Dean of Students will conduct an initial review to determine appropriate next steps.
The University may:
- Assess immediate safety concerns.
- Provide supportive resources to affected individuals.
- Determine whether an investigation is appropriate.
- Identify individuals with relevant information.
- Implement interim measures when necessary to protect students or preserve the integrity of the process.
Investigations may include interviews with reporting parties, involved students, witnesses, organization members, advisors, coaches, sponsors, or other individuals with relevant information. The university may also review available documentation, communications, photographs, videos, or other relevant materials.
Interim Measures
During the review process, MC may implement temporary measures to promote safety, preserve the educational environment, or prevent additional concerns.
Interim measures may include, but are not limited to:
- Restrictions on organizational activities.
- Temporary suspension of an individual or organization.
- Changes to participation requirements.
- No-contact directives when appropriate.
- Additional supervision or monitoring of organizational activities.
Interim measures are not disciplinary findings and do not indicate that a policy violation has occurred.
Resolution and Notice of Findings
At the conclusion of an investigation, the university will determine whether the information available supports a finding that this policy has been violated.
Students and organizations involved in the process will receive appropriate written notification of the outcome and any resulting actions, consistent with university policy and applicable law.
All proceedings will be conducted in a manner that promotes fairness, accountability, and respect for all individuals involved.
Education and Prevention
MC believes prevention begins with education, awareness, and intentional leadership development. The University is committed to equipping students and leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to create organizations that reflect Christ-centered community.
Contact Information
Office of the Vice President for the Student Experience/Dean of Students
Dr. Jonathan Ambrose
601-925-3275
jwambrose@mc.edu
Office of Public Safety (Emergency/Non-Emergency)
601-925-3204
Students and affiliated organizations are expected to comply with this Anti-Hazing Policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and all applicable federal and state laws. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Office of the Vice President for the Student Experience/Dean of Students.
