When you're accused of hazing at Broward College, you can expect Broward officials to investigate these claims thoroughly. Hazing accusations are serious and often difficult to navigate for everyone involved, particularly those accused. Hazing allegations often come with a mixture of bad judgment, alcohol, and pressure from others to participate in hazing. There can even be pressure to cover it up or point fingers at the wrong person.
While your participation in student organizations doesn't have much to do with your academics, both are on the line when you're accused of hazing at Broward. Untangling hazing allegations is messy, and you need professional help from the Lento Law Firm.
When you're accused of hazing, your academic career and potentially professional future are on the line. You can't gamble it all by trying to fight hazing allegations alone. At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team doesn't believe your life should be derailed by a mistake or miscommunication. We commit to fighting for your rights through the disciplinary process and mitigating the consequences. Let us help you today by calling 888-535-3686 or contacting us online.
Broward College Anti-Hazing Policies
Broward's anti-hazing policy can be found in its Policy Manual. The Policy Manual states that Broward has adopted the definition of hazing provided by Florida's anti-hazing law. Under the law, hazing is "any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purposes including, but not limited to" the following:
- Initiation into an organization operating at, and with permission from, a college or university
- Admission into any organization operating at, and with permission from, a college or university
- Affiliation with any organization operating at, and with permission from, a college or university
- The perpetuation of a tradition or ritual of any organization operating at, and with permission from, a college or university
While disciplinary action and criminal charges are two separate things, Broward stresses that if a student is under criminal investigation for hazing, it will fully cooperate with law enforcement. If you are under criminal investigation or facing charges for hazing from Florida law enforcement, you can bet Broward will also be pursuing disciplinary action against you.
The Policy Manual lists a number of prohibited behaviors that fall under the umbrella of hazing, which include, but are not limited to:
- Pressuring or coercing another student to break state or federal law
- Inflicting physical brutality on another student (such as beating, branding, whipping, forced consumption of food, alcohol, or any other substance, forced physical activity, whipping, etc.)
- Inflicting extreme mental stress
- Forced exclusion from social contact
- Forced conduct that could impact the mental health or dignity of the student
Both under Florida law and Broward's anti-hazing policy, the following are not valid defenses to charges of hazing (in court or in your Broward disciplinary action proceedings):
- Consent of the victim to participate in the activity
- The hazing incident was not part of an official organization event or otherwise sanctioned or approved by the organization
- The hazing incident was not done as a condition of membership to an organization
Broward College Disciplinary Action Process
Hazing is considered a violation of Broward's Student Code of Conduct and is subject to the disciplinary process for Student Code of Conduct violations. Broward's disciplinary action process is detailed in its Procedures Manual.
The disciplinary process will begin with the Dean of Students reviewing the complaint or report against you and opening an investigation. Broward will email you immediately about the investigation of your student account. The Dean of Students must notify you at least seven business days before the disciplinary hearing, which Broward calls the disciplinary proceeding. An impartial hearing officer will hold the disciplinary proceeding. At the end of the investigation and disciplinary proceeding, the Dean of Students will draft an investigative report which will include the following:
- A description of the specific hazing incident
- The Code of Conduct provision which was allegedly violated (the hazing provision)
- A summary of all statements, interviews, and evidence collected
- A finding as to whether it is more likely than not that you are guilty in the incident
- Sanctions
- Any other mitigating steps, if necessary
Broward allows students accused of hazing to have legal representation throughout the disciplinary action process. Many students don't realize they are entitled to legal counsel or think the matter isn't serious and they can handle it independently. But Broward has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing, and you shouldn't be representing yourself when you could be facing suspension, expulsion, and a notice of disciplinary action on your student record.
If you're in a work-study program or employed at Broward in any capacity and accused of hazing, you may be facing more than just disciplinary action as a student. Broward can pursue disciplinary action against you as an employee. This process involves the Executive Director of Talent and Culture or another designated staff member investigating the incident and taking any action they find appropriate, including termination of employment at Broward.
Consequences and Sanctions for Hazing
If you are found guilty of hazing during the disciplinary action process, Broward has the option to take a number of different actions against you. Sanctions that may be issued against you include:
- Imposition of fines
- Withholding a diploma
- Withholding of a transcript
- Probation
- Suspension
- Dismissal
Retain the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team Today
Don't fight the battle against hazing accusations at Broward on your own. The only person you can be sure of is in your corner, and that person is the Lento Law Firm attorney. We will be there every step of the way. Let our Student Defense Team get your academic career at Broward back on track. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or using our online form.
