Palm Beach State College Board Policy

Title: Hazing Prevention and Anti-Hazing Resources for Students and Student Organizations

Policy Number: 6Hx-18-3.41

Legal Authority: 1001.61 FS, 1001.64 FS, 1006.63 FS, 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), and 34 C.F.R. 668.46

Date Adopted/Amended: Adopted 3/17/1982; Amended 6/19/2001, 10/21/2025

 

Palm Beach State College does not condone hazing in any form. All organizations and individuals are prohibited from engaging in hazing, whether on or off campus. Hazing, soliciting a person to commit hazing, or actively participating in its planning is strictly prohibited. This policy, by its inclusion in the Student Code of Conduct and other student publications, is provided to each student enrolled in the institution, and this policy shall be included in the bylaws of each student club/organization operating under the sanction of Palm Beach State College.

1. Hazing shall be defined to include, but not be limited to, any intentional, knowing, or reckless act of brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual. Hazing shall also include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could individually result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual. Any activity as described above, upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with a college organization is directly or indirectly conditioned, shall be presumed to be a "forced" activity, regardless of the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity.

2. A recognized club or organization may lose its official recognition and/or be suspended if, as a result of the actions of its officers or members or as a result of an activity of the organization as a whole, the organization violates College rules and directives.

3. All student organizations, their officers, or members are expressly forbidden to engage in any kind of hazing action or situation, either on or off campus, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or participation in the organization.

4. Suspension of a Student Organization: The Vice President of Student Services has the authority to temporarily suspend a club or organization. The Vice President of Student Services is responsible for gathering the facts and setting them forth in writing relative to the alleged violations to College rules or directives. The interim suspension will be in effect for a maximum of 15 school days, during which time the Vice President of Student Services will conduct a formal hearing. A decision will be reached at the formal hearing as to whether the suspension will continue.

The suspension of a club or organization carries the following penalties:

  1. A loss of all rights previously afforded to a recognized official organization of Palm Beach State College. This includes, but is not limited to:
    1. Denial of the access to space, facilities, or resources of the College that are generally afforded to a recognized organization.
    2. The preclusion from participating in any College-sponsored activities under the banner of the organization.
    3. The preclusion from utilizing the name of Palm Beach State College in any way in association with the organization.
    4. The removal of the privilege of having a Palm Beach State College faculty advisor.
  2. If the temporary suspension of a club or an organization is upheld by the Vice President of Student Services, it shall remain in effect for a specified period of time, but for at least one major term. In order for the organization to be reinstated, it must comply with all the conditions that apply to establishing a new organization.

5. Suspension of a Student:  The Vice President of Student Services has the authority to suspend a student who violates this rule. The Vice President of Student Services is responsible for gathering the facts and setting them forth in writing relative to the alleged violations to College rules or directives. The Student Appeals Procedure rule (6Hx-18-3.34) will apply. The interim suspension will be in effect for a maximum of fifteen (15) school days, during which time the Vice President of Student Services will conduct a formal hearing. A decision will be reached at the formal hearing as to whether the suspension will continue.

6. Violation of State, Federal or Tribal: Hazing incidents that violate state, federal or tribal laws will be subject to criminal prosecution pursuant to those laws. The College will cooperate fully with the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction in its investigation. 

7. Stop Campus Hazing Transparency Report: As required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, PBSC will compile and publish a Stop Campus Hazing Transparency Report twice annually. This report will provide information about student organizations who have been found to be in violation of Palm Beach State College’s hazing policies.

8. Annual Reporting: The College will include statistics for hazing incidents reported to campus security authorities or local law enforcement in its Annual Security Report, in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and the Clery Act.

9. Reporting a Hazing or Harmful Incident: If you believe that you or someone else may be experiencing hazing, report it to your Campus Security Advisor (CSA) or Campus Security Office at 561-868-3600. Anonymous reports are accepted, please find the link to the anonymous reporting site on the PBSC Campus Safety webpage. In emergencies, call 911 immediately.

10. Hazing Prevention and Awareness: Palm Beach State College provides hazing prevention and intervention resources for all students, faculty and staff. Resources are available through the Office of Student Life and on the College’s hazing prevention webpage.

11. External Hazing Prevention Resources: