Hazing Prevention Education (test)

For purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents, the term “hazing” 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:

• is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.

Examples may include:

• Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity.
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or similar activity.
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances.
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts.
• Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through threatening words or conduct.
• Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
• 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.

Source: Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, 20 U.S.C. 1092(f).

The Stop Campus Hazing Act defines a student organization as 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 members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

Recognized student organizations and groups at OTC include:

• Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.
• National Adult Education Honor Society.
• National Technical Honor Society.
• SkillsUSA.

The Chad Meredith Act was established in honor of Chad Meredith, a University of Miami student who drowned following a night of drinking with fraternity members during his pledge period.

This law creates specific criminal offenses for hazing at both the high school and college levels.

State of Florida definition of hazing:

“Hazing” means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution. “Hazing” includes, but is not limited to, pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student, and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions, or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.

In the State of Florida, hazing is a criminal offense. Hazing may be:

• A third-degree felony when a person intentionally or recklessly commits hazing upon another person who is a member of or applicant to a student organization and the hazing results in serious bodily injury or death.
• A first-degree misdemeanor when a person intentionally or recklessly commits hazing upon another person who is a member of or applicant to a student organization and the hazing creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death.

It is not a defense to a charge of hazing that:

• The consent of the victim had been obtained.
• The conduct or activity that resulted in death or injury was not part of an official organizational event or was not otherwise sanctioned or approved by the organization.
• The conduct or activity that resulted in death or injury was not done as a condition of membership to an organization.

Source: Chad Meredith Act, HB 193
Source: Florida Statutes & Constitution

Andrew’s Law was established in 2019 in honor of Andrew Coffey, a Florida State University student who died from alcohol poisoning during a fraternity hazing ritual.

Andrew’s Law amended Section 1006.63 of the Florida Statutes and modified the existing anti-hazing statute, known as the Chad Meredith Act, in several significant ways:

• Grants immunity to the first person who calls 911 or provides aid to a victim of hazing.
• Expands the definition of hazing to include individuals who solicit others to participate in hazing or who are actively involved in planning a hazing event, even if they are not present when the hazing takes place.
• Classifies hazing resulting in permanent injury as a third-degree felony, aligning the penalty with hazing resulting in death.

Source: Florida Statutes & Constitution

The OCPS Hazing Policy Statement is part of School Board Policy JIC, which governs the Student Code of Conduct for dual-enrolled students at OTC. The OTC Disciplinary Response Code is applicable to adult students attending OTC.

If an investigation is based on an alleged threat, the School Threat Management Team will review it. This team was created in accordance with Board Policy JICK, Threats, and Florida Statute 1006.07.

For hazing incidents, especially those that involve sexual misconduct, stalking, or dating violence, the concern may also involve Title IX. The school’s Discipline Team will investigate it along with the discipline office. Hazing incidents must also be reported to the relevant law enforcement authorities.

School Board Policy JIC and the OTC Disciplinary Response Code establish expectations for student conduct. To support hazing prevention and awareness, the district offers educational resources and initiatives designed to raise awareness among students and employees.

Available educational courses

Dual-enrolled students who participate in athletic programs at OCPS can access free online elective courses created by the NFHS Organization. These courses are designed to help students recognize hazing behaviors, understand when to intervene, and understand the importance of reporting incidents.

• Hazing Prevention for Students
• Bullying, Hazing, and Inappropriate Behaviors

These courses are accessible to students, employees, parents, and anyone interested in learning more. They help individuals identify hazing, know when to take action, and understand the critical role of reporting. Participants can also learn how hazing differs from bullying and how bystanders can help foster a welcoming environment.

OCPS requires coaches to complete a Hazing Prevention Course annually. This course supports coaches in creating safe and inclusive environments for students.