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Purpose of Report

This report summarizes findings concerning any student organization established or recognized by the ºÚÁÏÍø that has been found to be in violation of the Institution’s Hazing policy.

No student organizations have been found in violation of the College’s Hazing Policy since July 1, 2025.

NOTE: The Transparency Report will be updated at least twice each year for the period beginning on the date the Transparency Report was last published and ending on the date the update is submitted.

Notice of Availability of Statistics on Hazing

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as crime prevention, the institution’s police/public safety law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, fire safety policies and procedures (applies only to the Massey Campus), disciplinary procedures, protocols for the immediate notification of students and staff upon confirmation of a significant emergency on campus, Hazing policies and programming, and other matters of importance related to security and safety.

The report includes statistics for the most recent three-year period of reported crimes that have occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or properties owned or controlled by ºÚÁÏÍø or its affiliates, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. Similarly, the report contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility on the Massey Campus during the three most recent calendar years. The Fire Safety Report section does not apply to any other campuses, as they do not have on-campus student housing facilities.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report can be accessed at the following link: 2025 ºÚÁÏÍø Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report.

You can obtain a paper copy of this report by contacting the Campus Safety Department, 3209 Virginia Ave, Ft. Pierce, FL 34981, Building B, room 105, or request that a paper copy be mailed to you by calling Capt. Cleon Berntheizel at 772-462-7175.

Reporting Statistics

Annually, ºÚÁÏÍø will compile statistics for incidents of Hazing reportedly occurring on or within the College’s Clery Geography that were reported to a Campus Security Authority or local law enforcement agency.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

Hazing statistics for the three most recent calendar years for which data are available will be disclosed in ºÚÁÏÍø’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Reporting to the U.S. Department of Education

The College will disclose Hazing statistics in the data reported to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) via the annual Campus Safety and Security Survey, no later than the date specified annually by ED.

Student Organization for Statistical Disclosure Purposes

Student Organization for Statistical Disclosure Purposes means “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.”

Federal Definition of Hazing

Such Hazing statistics will be compiled using the Federal definition of Hazing below:

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 (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.”

Institution’s Hazing Policy

Board Policy 5330 – Student Hazing

Hazing is strictly prohibited at the College either on or off campus.

Definition of Hazing

As defined in F.S. 1006.63, the term “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 into any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution;
• admission into any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution;
• affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution; or
• the perpetuation or furtherance of a tradition or ritual of any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.

Furthermore, the term 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 substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student.
• 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.

The term does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.

Penalties

Penalties for violation of this policy shall be administered in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; subject, however, to any limitations or additional penalties contained in F.S. 1006.63.

Such penalties at the College may include the imposition of fines; the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the rules or pending payment of fines; and the imposition of probation, suspension, and/or expulsion from the College. In the case of an organization/club at the College that authorizes hazing in blatant disregard of such rules, penalties may also include rescission of permission for that organization to operate on campus property or to otherwise operate under the sanction of the College. All penalties imposed under the authority of this Policy and the Student Code of Conduct shall be in addition to any penalty imposed for violation of any of the criminal laws of this State or for violation of any other rule of the College to which the violator may be subject.

This Policy, by its inclusion in the Student Code of Conduct, will be disseminated to each student enrolled in the institution and included in the bylaws of each club/organization operating under the sanction of the College pursuant to F.S. 1006.63.

Local Laws on Hazing

There are no applicable Local laws relating to Hazing in the College’s jurisdiction.

State Laws on Hazing

Florida Statutes, Section 1006.63

Florida Statutes, section 1006.63 defines “hazing” as 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 into any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution;
• Admission into any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution;
• Affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution; or
• The perpetuation or furtherance of a tradition or ritual of any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution.

The term 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; or 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.

The term does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.

Criminal Penalties Under Florida Law

Under Florida law, a person commits hazing, a third-degree felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, when he or she intentionally or recklessly commits, solicits a person to commit, or is actively involved in the planning of any act of hazing as defined in subsection (1) upon another person who is a member or former member of or an applicant to any type of student organization and the hazing results in a permanent injury, serious bodily injury, or death of such other person.

Under Florida law, a person commits hazing, a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, when he or she intentionally or recklessly commits, solicits a person to commit, or is actively involved in the planning of any act of hazing as defined in subsection (1) upon another person who is a member or former member of or an applicant to any type of student organization and the hazing creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death to such other person.

Defenses Not Available

Under Florida law, 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 the death or injury of a person was not part of an official organizational event or was not otherwise sanctioned or approved by the organization; or
• The conduct or activity that resulted in death or injury of the person was not done as a condition of membership to an organization.

Tribal Laws on Hazing

There are no applicable Tribal laws relating to Hazing in the College’s jurisdiction.