UF’s anti-hazing task force has found students may not be clear on a definition of hazing, and administrators aren’t clear on their responsibility to Santa Fe College and non-degree seeking students on campus.
During a meeting of the anti-hazing task force Wednesday, administrators discussed potential conflicts with Santa Fe College and dual enrollment students who may participate in UF’s marching band, ROTC and other campus organizations.
Though the UF Student Code of Conduct applies to these students, there is a gray area as to how UF can deal with them if they are involved in an incident, said Jack Causseaux, associate director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.
“Maybe that’s something we need to clarify in the [anti-hazing] policy,” Bernard Mair, associate provost of undergraduate affairs, said.
UF also needs to expand the presence of its anti-hazing policy to make sure students understand what hazing is, Causseaux said.
Students know the hazing cases that make it into the news are wrong, he said, but they may not define more minor incidents as hazing.
However, administrators agreed UF’s anti-hazing policy doesn’t need to change.
“My sense is the policy isn’t our challenge,” said Chris Loschiavo, assistant dean of students and director of student conduct and conflict resolution.
Contact Erin Jester at ejester@alligator.org.
