Hazing Prevention at UNA

There Is No Place for Hazing at UNA.

Build friendship, serve others, and feel like you belong through Greek life at UNA. Thousands of Lions belong to our 20 fraternities and sororities. UNA desires every student, whether Greek or not, to feel connected and have a rewarding experience on campus. That’s why every organization on campus upholds our values. UNA takes hazing seriously to protect Greek life, and most importantly, to protect you.

At the University of North Alabama, becoming a member of a fraternity, sorority, or any student organization should be one of the best decisions you make in college. You should feel safe and empowered. UNA prohibits hazing in all forms, holds organizations accountable when violations occur, and works year-round to make sure every student knows where the line is, and that crossing it has real consequences.

What Is Hazing?

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed against another person in the process of joining, affiliating with, or remaining in a student organization. It doesn’t matter if the person agreed to it or some consider it “tradition.” If it causes or risks causing physical or psychological harm, UNA considers the act hazing.

Hazing includes acts like:

• Striking, beating, or tasing
• Forcing or pressuring someone to consume food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
• Sleep deprivation, extreme physical activity, or confinement
• Coercing sexual acts
• Threatening behavior that puts someone in reasonable fear of bodily harm
• Anything that requires another person to break the law

This definition comes directly from the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), the federal law that governs how UNA reviews, responds to, and reports hazing incidents. Learn more about the full SCHA and UNA definitions [Link].

See Something? Say Something.

If you experience, witness, or suspect an act of hazing, report it. File a report with UNA’s Office of Student Conduct, speak with a Campus Security Authority, or contact UNA Police directly. Reports can be made anonymously.

No one should stay silent to protect a chapter or a team. Reporting is how we protect the next person.

Consequences of Hazing

UNA considers hazing a crime. So does the state of Alabama. Students and organizations found responsible face serious consequences on both fronts.

From UNA’s Office of Student Conduct, sanctions can include:

• Formal warnings and conduct probation
• Fines or restitution
• Loss of organizational privileges
• Mandatory educational programs
• Suspension or expulsion from UNA
• Loss of university housing

Under Alabama state law, individuals who haze can be charged with a Class C misdemeanor. Organizations that knowingly permit hazing can lose access to public funds, scholarships, and any recognition or sanction granted by the university.

Alabama Law on Hazing

Alabama has prohibited hazing in educational settings since 1981. Commonly known as Alabama’s Anti-Hazing Law, it covers any willful action, on or off campus, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student.

The law applies to individuals and to organizations. Witnessing hazing and failing to report it to the appropriate school official is itself a violation.

Alabama classifies hazing as a Class C misdemeanor under AL Code § 16-1-23.

National Hazing Prevention Week

During the last week of September each year, UNA joins campuses across the country in National Hazing Prevention Week. During this event, Fraternity and Sorority Life leads on-campus events focused on hazing education and awareness. Attendance is required for all recognized organizations.

Hazing Transparency Report

The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires UNA to publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report listing any student organization found responsible for a hazing violation, including the nature of the violation, the investigation timeline, and any sanctions imposed. The report is updated twice yearly and maintained for five years.

UNA began collecting data on 7/1/2025. The initial report will be published no later than 12/23/2025, or upon the first finding of a hazing violation.

View the Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Report Hazing

Hazing thrives in silence. It stops when someone speaks up.