UWG Campus Hazing Information

The Georgia Anti-Hazing Act (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61), also known as the Max Gruver Act, makes it unlawful to haze any student in connection with or as a condition or precondition of gaining acceptance, membership, office, or other status in a school organization. Individuals found responsible for hazing may be subject to criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment, or both, as provided by Georgia law. 
 
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) amended Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act, also known as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, to strengthen hazing prevention and transparency requirements for institutions of higher education participating in federal student aid programs. The Act requires institutions to include hazing incidents that occur within Clery geography in the Annual Security Report and to maintain a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. 
 
The University of West Georgia reviews and responds to reports of alleged hazing in accordance with applicable federal and state law, University policy, and the Student Code of Conduct. Hazing incidents that occur within Clery geography are collected and reported in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and included in the University's Annual Security Report and Campus Hazing Transparency Report, as required by law.

The Annual Security and Crime Report (ASR) provides information about campus safety and security, including crime reporting, campus alerts, fire safety, prevention programs for dating violence, domestic violence sexual assault, and stalking, and the University's response procedures. It also includes crime and fire statistics for the three most recent calendar years, covering incidents reported on campus, in campus housing, on certain University-owned or affiliated properties, and on adjacent public property.

View the UWG Annual Security and Crime Report web page

• StopHazing.org
• Wolves Look Out for Wolves UWG Training

Allegations of hazing involving students or student organizations are investigated by the Office of Community Standards in accordance with the University of West Georgia Student Code of Conduct (Wolf Code). Reports are reviewed promptly to determine whether temporary measures are necessary to protect the safety and well-being of individuals or the campus community during the investigation. 
 
The respondent (student or student organization) will receive written notice of the alleged violations and an opportunity to participate in the student conduct process. The Office of Community Standards will conduct a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation, which may include interviews with involved parties and witnesses, review of documentation, photographs, videos, electronic communications, and other relevant evidence. 
 
If a student or student organization accepts responsibility for the alleged violation, the matter may be resolved through an informal resolution. If responsibility is disputed or additional review is necessary, the case may proceed through the formal student conduct process as outlined in the Wolf Code. Determinations are made using the preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning it is more likely than not that a violation occurred. 
 
Following the investigation or hearing, the respondent will receive a written outcome outlining the findings, any assigned sanctions, and applicable appeal procedures. Confirmed hazing incidents involving student organizations will be published in the University's Campus Hazing Transparency Report, as required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act. 

Allegations of hazing involving faculty or staff are referred to the Office of Human Resources and are investigated in accordance with applicable University policies, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents Policy Manual, and other relevant employment procedures. 
 
The investigation process includes an initial review of the report, a fact-finding investigation that may include interviews and evidence collection, an opportunity for the employee to respond to the allegations, and a determination regarding whether University policy or applicable law has been violated. When appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with University and Board of Regents policies. 
 
Faculty and staff are expected to cooperate fully with all investigations. Retaliation against any individual who reports hazing or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action. Allegations involving faculty and staff are handled separately from the student conduct process.

Hazing may also constitute a violation of state or federal law. When appropriate, reports of alleged hazing may be referred to the University Police Department or other law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation. University conduct proceedings may occur before, during, or after any criminal investigation or court proceeding and are independent of those processes.