Hazing Training/Education

Background

• Hazing as a concept is hundreds of years old. Dating back to the 1800s, fraternities and sororities would engage in these activities to prove “worthiness” to enter the organizations.
• In 1995, ASUM helped establish harsher penalties for hazing in Missouri.
• A person commits the offense of hazing when they recklessly endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or continued membership in any organization. Consent is not a defense to hazing.
• Missouri public and private colleges are required to adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing at their institution. 
• The offense of hazing is a class A misdemeanor, unless the act creates a substantial risk to the life of the student or prospective member in which case it is a class D felony. 

Relevance to the UM System Student Body

• Hubert L. Spake Jr. was a 21-year-old student at Mizzou who was smothered to death in bed following initiation into Theta Nu Epsilon.
• Robert Perry died at St. Louis University one day after he was critically injured in a fire that occured during his fraternity initiation ceremony. He was covered in a flammable substance and electrical shocks were administered to his skin. He was 20 years old.
• Mike Nisbet was found dead at Missouri S&T after choking to death on his own vomit after a ritual drinking game required on initiates into St. Pat’s Board. 
• Lack of hazing understanding represents a direct threat to the health and safety of our entire student body. Without statewide legislation, it may be possible that more instances of these issues occur.