Hazing is prohibited and is defined as 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: (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of Ball State University; and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in Ball State activities or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team) of physical or psychological injury.
Individuals in a position of authority, such as organization officers and leaders, have a responsibility to prevent hazing in their organizations. Officers and leaders who condone or fail to intervene when aware of a hazing activity, regardless of their participation, are in violation of this prohibition. Other organization members, who observe hazing activities and are able to intervene but fail to do so, are in violation of this prohibition as well.
The complete Ball State hazing policy (as a print-friendly pdf) may be found here: Hazing Policy. Additional information related to Ball State’s compliance with state and federal law may be found here: Hazing Compliance.