The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is committed to preventing hazing and to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for all members of the campus community.

Hazing, as defined by federal, state, and institutional guidelines, will not be tolerated. Our policy, found in the Safety and Security section of the website, provides clear processes for reporting incidents, investigating alleged hazing activities, and enforcing disciplinary measures. 

USAHS’ Hazing Policy, which includes information on how to report hazing incidents and the investigation process, is available to the general public and all current and incoming students, staff, and faculty, on the University website. 

Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to report hazing incidents directly via the “USAHS Hazing Reporting Form,” which can be made without the need to disclose the identity of the individual making the report. Contact information will be kept confidential to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the institution's policies and legal obligations. Reports may also be made to the National Anti-Hazing Hotline toll-free number at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293). Reports should include the name of the organization or the individual that is being reported, date(s) of incidents, whether the incidents occurred on or off campus, and any relevant details of hazing behavior. Reports may also include supporting documentation such as photos, emails, or video.  

Hazing can also be reported to appropriate federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights) when it involves violations of civil rights or federal law. Please refer to the USAHS Title IX Policy for additional details (located here).

All reported hazing incidents will be reviewed by the Department of Student Affairs to determine whether an investigation is warranted. If the information reported meets the threshold of hazing, a referral will be made to the Professional Misconduct Committee. The PMC Process can be found in the University Catalog/Handbook, “University Policies” section. 

USAHS is committed to preventing hazing and fostering a campus culture based on mutual respect, inclusivity, and ethical leadership. Prevention efforts are vital, and USAHS provides a comprehensive campus-wide prevention program that targets all campus community members, including students, staff, and faculty. This program is based on research-informed strategies to reduce and prevent hazing. Additionally, bystander intervention programs are conducted to equip community members with the knowledge and tools to intervene and prevent hazing. The prevention and awareness programs emphasize the importance of speaking up when witnessing hazing behavior and the positive impact of proactive intervention, as well as highlighting the importance of ethical decision-making and creating inclusive group environments. These programs also focus on building leadership skills that reject hazing and encourage the formation of cohesive groups without the use of abusive practices.

Resources and educational training can be found under the policies and forms section of this page.