Introduction
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) is a federal law signed on December 23, 2024, aimed at improving hazing prevention and reporting in colleges and universities. It requires institutions to include hazing statistics in their annual security reports and implement hazing prevention policies and education programs. For the definition of hazing under the Clery Act and further information, please download https://clery.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/hazing-resources/SCHA-Getting-Started-Guide.pdf. For the UGA’s SCHA policy, including UGA’s definition of hazing under the Code of Conduct, please download https://staysafe.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Part-1-SCHA-1.pdf.
Please note: statistics may differ from the organizational hazing violations published in the Transparency Report. Clery hazing statistics are limited to incidents occurring within UGA’s Clery Geography and are based on reports made to CSAs; a disciplinary finding is not required for an incident to be counted.
Hazing Policy Summary
The University of Georgia prohibits hazing. This prohibition applies to all students and student organizations and covers conduct that occurs both on and off campus.
Hazing is any intentional, negligent, or reckless action, activity, or situation that is forced, required, or expected of someone in connection with initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a student organization, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. The conduct must endanger or be likely to endanger a person’s physical health, cause pain, embarrassment, ridicule, harassment, severe emotional distress, or otherwise meet the definitions of hazing under Georgia law and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.
Reports of hazing may be made by any member of the University community and to university officials responsible for student conduct and campus safety. Suspicion of hazing may also be reported to UGA Police.
The complete policy and procedures can be found at UGA’s Student Code of Conduct and Hazing Disclosures webpage: https://conduct.uga.edu/hazing-disclosures/.
Investigation Process for Students and Student Organizations
Hazing allegations involving students or student organizations are adjudicated by the Office of Student Conduct per the processes outlined in the University of Georgia Code of Conduct.
After a report is received, the Office of Student Conduct conducts an initial review and may implement appropriate interim measures pending resolution of the conduct process.
The accused student or organization receives written notice of the allegations and an opportunity to respond.
Cases may be resolved through either the Informal Resolution Process or the Formal Resolution Process, which includes an investigation and possible hearing. If the student or organization decides to resolve the conduct charges informally, and all conditions for such resolution are met, the Respondent will receive a written copy of the decision. The decision will be completed by the administrative officer handling the case, and upon review, the Respondent will sign the decision indicating agreement with the method of resolution. An executed agreement, because voluntary on behalf of the parties, is not eligible for appeal and is the final disposition of the matter.
If the student or organization disputes that a violation of conduct regulations has taken place, rejects the informal resolution, or does not agree with the sanctions resulting from the informal resolution, the case shall be resolved through the formal resolution procedures outlined on page 11 of the Code of Conduct.
Possible sanctions include educational sanctions, disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion, loss of organizational privileges or recognition, and other sanctions authorized by the Code of Conduct.
Hazing violations involving school or student organizations are published in The University of Georgia’s Campus Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report, available at https://conduct.uga.edu/hazing-disclosures/.