Heidelberg University is required to publish the Campus Hazing Transparency Report biannually two times a year which will be on December 1, and July 1 of each year and the report will include findings of responsibility for hazing incidents by recognized student organizations and the information will be maintained for a period of five calendar years from the date of publication
Heidelberg University is committed to creating a welcoming, student-centered community where learning, leadership, integrity, and personal growth extend beyond the classroom. As Student Princes, we believe that every student deserves to feel safe, valued, respected, and supported. Our traditions, organizations, and membership experiences should reflect the University's educational mission and commitment to developing individuals of purpose, character, and distinction.
Heidelberg University strictly prohibits hazing in any form. Hazing is an abuse of power and relationships that threatens the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of individuals. It includes physical or emotional abuse, harassment, intimidation, humiliation, forced activities, coerced substance consumption, sleep deprivation, and any activity that compromises an individual's safety or dignity as a condition of membership or acceptance. Consent or tradition does not make hazing acceptable. This prohibition applies to all student organizations, fraternities, sororities, athletic teams, and campus groups, both on and off campus.
We believe true brotherhood, sisterhood, and organizational unity are built through trust, mutual respect, mentorship, leadership, and service. Every student organization is responsible for ensuring that recruitment, initiation, and membership activities align with university policies and promote positive personal and educational development.
Preventing hazing is everyone's responsibility. Students and community members are encouraged to report suspected or witnessed hazing through Heidelberg University's established reporting procedures. Hazing allegations will be addressed through university policies and disciplinary processes, and retaliation against individuals who report concerns is not acceptable.
As Student Princes, we are committed to building a community where traditions bring people together rather than put them at risk. We choose respect over intimidation, leadership over control, and accountability over silence. We believe everyone deserves to belong without sacrificing their safety, dignity, or values.
STUDENT PRINCES DON'T HAZE. WE LEAD. WE RESPECT. WE PROTECT.
As part of our commitment to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment for the Heidelberg University community and cultivating a culture that fosters respect for the dignity and rights of all its members, the University does not tolerate hazing activities by any members of the University community.
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 (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of 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 other 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 the use of threatening words or conduct;
- Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and » 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.
For purposes of Clery Act statistics only, the term “student organization” in the definition of hazing is defined 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 of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
The Dean of Student Affairs, or a designee when appropriate, reserves the right to notify parent(s) or guardian(s), faculty, or staff of any or all levels of disciplinary sanctions. The following sanctions may be imposed upon any student found to have violated the Student Code:
- Deferred Suspension – This sanction is a suspension that is delayed pending specified behavioral performance. A definite period of observation and review occurs during deferred suspension. If a student is found responsible for violating the Student Code again, the suspension will take place immediately without appeal.
- Discretionary Sanctions – Sanctions that work to restore, repair, or reverse the damage(s) done by a Student Code violation or other related discretionary assignments.
- Educational Measures – Work assignments, essays, workshops, class(es), service to the University, or other related educational assignments.
- Expulsion - Permanent separation of the student, group, or organization from the University.
- Fines - Previously established and published fines may be imposed.
- Housing Reassignment - Required move from housing unit to another on campus.
- Interim Suspension - In certain circumstances, the Dean of Student Affairs, or a designee, may impose a university or residence hall suspension prior to the Administrative Hearing. Interim suspension may be imposed only:
- to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the University community or the preservation of university property;
- to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or
- if the student poses an ongoing threat of disruption of, or interference with, the normal operations of the University. During the interim suspension, a student may be denied access to the residence halls and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other University activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Dean of Student Affairs, or a designee, may determine to be appropriate. The interim suspension does not replace the regular process, which shall proceed on the normal schedule, up to and through an Administrative Hearing, if required.
- Loss of Privileges - Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
- Notifications – A written notification to parent, guardian, coach, advisor and/or University officials regarding Student Code violation(s).
- Probation - A written reprimand for violation of specified regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to violate any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period.
- Restitution - Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
- Revocation of Degree – A degree awarded from the University may be revoked for violation of university standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation.
- Suspension - Separation of the student/group/organization from the University for a definite period of time, after which the student, group, or organization is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission or reinstatement may be specified.
- Warning - A notice in writing to the student that the student is violating or has 82 violated institutional regulations.
- Withholding Degree – The University may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in the Student Conduct Code, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any. More than one of the sanctions listed above may be imposed for any single violation
All students, faculty, staff, coaches, and members of the University community are encouraged and, when required by policy or law, obligated to report suspected or observed hazing.
Step 1: Access the reporting form
Visit the Heidelberg University Incident Communication Form .
Step 2: Identify those involved
- List the individuals and/or student organization involved.
- Identify the reporting party, responding party, and witnesses, as applicable.
Step 3: Select the incident type
- - Select Conduct – Violation of University Policy or Law.
Step 4: Describe the incident
Provide as much information as possible, including:
- Date, time, and location.
- Student organization, athletic team, or group involved.
- Names of individuals and witnesses, if known.
- Description of the suspected hazing activity.
- Any injuries, threats, or supporting evidence.
Step 5: Submit the report
Review the information and submit the completed form.
Step 6: Notify the appropriate University officials
Please work with one or more of the following to ensure the report is submitted correctly and referred to the appropriate authorities:
- Campus Safety and Security
- Dean of Student Affairs
- Human Resources
- Director of Student Engagement
- Athletic Director
Important
Report hazing immediately. If someone is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical assistance, call 911. Do not wait to gather all the details before reporting.
Heidelberg University does not tolerate hazing. If you see something, hear something, or experience hazing, report it.
Immediately upon learning of potential hazing, all administrators, employees, faculty members, coaches, teachers, consultants, alumni, and volunteers of any student organization, athletic team, or student group who are acting in an official or professional capacity and who receive a complaint of hazing, observe hazing, or otherwise learn of conduct that is reasonably believed to violate this Policy are required to report the alleged conduct to the Dean of Student Affairs or Campus Safety & Security at Heidelberg University.
No administrator, employee, faculty member, coach, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer acting in an official or professional capacity shall recklessly fail to immediately report knowledge of hazing to an appropriate law enforcement agency in the county in which the victim of hazing resides or in which the hazing is occurring or has occurred. Individuals should work with Campus Safety and Security, the Dean of Student Affairs, Human Resources, the Director of Student Engagement, or the Athletic Director, as appropriate, to ensure that the report is submitted correctly and to the appropriate law enforcement agency and jurisdiction.
Failure to report an observed hazing incident, or other activity reasonably believed to violate this Policy, is prohibited conduct under this Policy and may result in disciplinary action and/or criminal charges, as applicable. Employees who are legally required to maintain confidentiality are exempt from reporting obligations to the extent required by law. Reports made pursuant to this policy do not supersede, replace, or otherwise satisfy any additional reporting obligations imposed by federal or state law or University policy.
Heidelberg University will maintain a report of all violations of this Policy that are reported to the University and result in a formal charge of a violation of this Policy. The University will update this report biannually, on December 1 and July 1 of each year, and will make the updated report publicly available on the University's website, consistent with applicable state and federal requirements.
All enrolled and incoming students seeking membership in a registered student organization, student group, fraternity, sorority, or athletic team at Heidelberg University must complete the annual anti-hazing education and training provided or designated by the University.
Failure to complete the required annual anti-hazing training will result in the student being ineligible to join or participate in any recognized student organization, student group, fraternity, sorority, or other University-recognized organization until the training requirement has been satisfied.
The report will be updated on December 1.
Organization: Alpha Phi Tau
Outcome of Investigation: Currently Under Investigation
Sanctions:
Year of Allegation: Fall 2024
Effective Date:
End Date:
Alleged Violation: using fire for pledging
Organization: Football Team
Outcome of Investigation: No Hazing Violation Found
Sanctions: None - Case Closed
Year of Allegation: 2023
Effective Date: 8/28/2023
End Date: 8/28/2023
Alleged Violation: Physical or psychological injury for participation in an athletic team
No violations to report
No reports received by institution.
No reports received by institution.
No reports received by institution.
No reports received by institution.