Consistent with both the mandates of State law and the College’s position on the dignity of the individual, Ringling College of Art and Design maintains that no member of the Ringling College community (faculty, staff or students) shall indulge in any physical abuse or undignified treatment of any other member of the Ringling College community through activities known as hazing.
Hazing is defined as: any action or situation, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another for the purpose of initiation or admission into an affiliation with an organization. Such terms shall include, but not be limited to: any 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. Also included is subjection to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.
Students accusing other students of engaging in such practices should seek recourse through the student disciplinary code. The institution also reserves the right to investigate any rumors of alleged hazing, whether or not a direct student Report has been received.
Students, faculty or staff who have a grievance regarding hazing against any other faculty and staff member should seek recourse through the institution’s Human Rights Committee.