Student Conduct Code

Hazing Policy Statement

As a Catholic Jesuit institution grounded in the values of cura personalis, being people for others, justice, and human dignity for all, the University of San Francisco unequivocally prohibits hazing in all forms. Hazing directly contradicts our values and counters our mission to be stewards of a more humane and just world. Any practice—overt or covert, on or off campus—that compromises the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, or financial well-being of our students is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

USF Definition of Hazing

Hazing includes any intentional, unintentional, or reckless act, whether physical, mental, emotional, or financial by one or more persons against another person(s) in order to initiate into, affiliate with, or maintain membership in a student group--regardless of the person’s willingness to participate that:

  • Endangers the health, safety, physical, holistic wellbeing, or dignity of an individual;
  • Causes undue emotional, psychological, or financial stress;
  • Violates the Student Conduct Code, California law, federal law, or Jesuit values.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Physical abuse, forced excessive physical exertion, or exposure to harm;
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress, manipulation or verbal abuse;
  • Sleep deprivation or social isolation;
  • Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
  • Water intoxication;
  • Sexual assault;
  • Branding;
  • Forced performance of personal services or acts of servitude;
  • Financial coercion or exploitation, including: mandatory purchase of materials not disclosed up front (i.e., specific clothing, gifts, etc); mandatory payment for group expenses, gifts, or activities as a condition of participation in the group; unjustified fines or secret dues; and, mandatory donations to philanthropic endeavors as a punishment.
  • Degrading or humiliating activities, including: performing activities that do not align with the mission and purpose of the organization; and, anything that reinforces power dynamics or serves no meaningful developmental purpose.
  • Visual distinguishment from the group, including: mandatory wearing of pins, clothing, or symbols to signify “new” or “lower” status; engaging in behaviors meant to visually distinguish or degrade students.
  • mandatory knowledge-tests created by students that are unrelated to the mission and purpose of the organization, including: completing quizzes, tests, or assignments designed by peers as a form of gatekeeping, evaluation, or perseverance.

It is not necessary that the act meets the legal definition of hazing in order for the University to consider it a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Students who violate the Student Conduct Code in this manner, in addition to any criminal and/or civil penalties, are subject to University disciplinary action, which may include expulsion.

California State Law

In the Fall of 2006, California Senate Bill 1454, also known as “Matt’s Law” was enacted. This law codifies within California’s penal code the definition of hazing and prescribes misdemeanor penalties for people or organizations that haze and felony penalties for hazing that results in death, great bodily injury, or great psychological injury. The law gives prosecutors the authority to bring charges against any person or organization involved in hazing and allows a person against whom hazing is directed to bring civil action against the organization or any participants in the organization.

California Education Code Sections 32050 and 32051 have been repealed and replaced with the following in the California Penal Code:

  • 245.6. (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as "Matt's Law" in memory of Matthew William Carrington, who died on February 2, 2005 as a result of hazing.
  • As used in this section "hazing" or "haze" is conduct which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to another person in the course of the other person's pre-initiation into, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. The terms "hazing" or "haze" do not include customary athletic, fire department, police department, military, or quasi-military training, conditioning, or similar events or activities.
  • Any person who hazes or conspires to participate in hazing is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.
  • Any person who hazes or conspires to participate in hazing which results in death, great bodily injury, or great psychological injury is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.
  • An organization is guilty of violating subdivisions (b) or (c) if the organization's agents, directors, trustees, managers, or officers authorized, requested, commanded, encouraged, participated in, ratified, or tolerated the hazing.
  • The implied or expressed consent of the person or persons against whom the hazing was directed shall not be a defense to any action brought under this section.
  • This section does not apply to the person against whom the hazing was directed.
  • This section shall not, in any manner, limit or exclude prosecution or punishment for any other crime or any civil remedy.
  • The person against whom the hazing is directed may commence a civil action for injury or damages, including mental and physical pain and suffering that results from the hazing. The action may be brought against any participants in the hazing, or any organization whose 080112 agents, directors, trustees, managers, or officers authorized, requested, commanded, encouraged, participated in, ratified, or tolerated the hazing. If the organization is a corporation, whether for profit or not, the individual directors of the corporation may be held individually liable for damages.

Stop Campus Hazing Act

In December of 2024, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose hazing incidents, and for other purposes. This law codifies within the Federal act the definition of hazing and student organizations.

Section 485(f)(6)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

  • (vi) The term ‘hazing’, for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents under paragraph (1)(F)(iv), means 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; 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—
  • 1. (aa) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
  • 2. (bb) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
  • 3. (cc) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
  • 4. (dd) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
  • 5. (ee) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • 6.(ff) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
  • 7. (gg) 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.’’

Section 485(f)(6)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

  • (vii) The term ‘student organization’, for purposes of reporting under paragraph (1)(F)(iv) and paragraph (9)(A), means 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.’’

Our Commitment

We are committed to building a community of care in which students value human dignity for all. We are committed to supporting students and student groups through regular discernment and reflection to assess signs of hazing. We hope to help all value mutual respect. Should you be concerned about yourself, another student(s), or a student group(s), please report a violation.

Reporting a Violation

If you believe you are a victim of hazing or know of instances of hazing involving USF students, you should report this information to the Hazing Incident Reporting Form. Once submitted, appropriate staff members will contact those who may be victims and connect them with appropriate resources before a formal inquiry is launched.

University Action

Should the University (faculty, staff, librarians, personnel) become aware of hazing by a student group or any of its members, the University may immediately suspend the organization or group pending an investigation into the allegations. Allegations of hazing are resolved in accordance with the Student Conduct process. Students and/or student organizations found responsible for violating the Hazing Policy are subject to the full range of disciplinary sanctions. For more information, please refer to the Fogcutter Student Handbook, Student Conduct Policies and Procedures.