You've seen the headlines. You know just how dangerous hazing activities can be. Even innocent-seeming, well-intentioned actions can lead to disaster. Given that fact, we're certainly not going to defend hazing.
It is worth noting, however, that when any sort of activity winds up in the news—especially if it's connected to physical harm and even death—the public has a tendency to overreact, and once the public is up in arms, you can expect colleges and universities to respond in turn. Put simply, most schools these days maintain a definition of hazing that is too broad; they conduct investigations that are too zealous, and they sanction students and organizations with penalties that are too severe. Innocent students wind up accused. Misunderstandings happen. Lives get ruined.
If you've been accused of hazing at the University of Chicago, you cannot afford to take the situation lightly. You need the best help you can get. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights, and you can count on us to ensure you're treated fairly and that you get the very best possible resolution to your case. We know how the University of Chicago's judicial procedures work, and we can show you how to use them to your advantage.
To find out more about what we do, call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at the University of Chicago
There has been a movement over the last decade or so to codify anti-hazing sentiment. The Illinois legislature, like those of many other states, has passed laws making hazing a criminal misdemeanor. How is that relevant to you as a college student? No school is going to flout laws like these. Indeed, the University of Chicago's Student Code of Conduct requires students to abide by all local, state, and federal laws. And while the university's hazing policy incorporates much of the law's language, it goes even further in setting restrictions on hazing.
“A person commits hazing when they knowingly require a student or other person at the University to perform any act, on or off University property, for the purpose of induction, admission, or membership into any group, team, organization, or society associated with or connected to the University if the act is not sanctioned or authorized by the University and results in harm to any person or could reasonably be foreseen to result in such harm.”
Read through this definition carefully, and you'll see that it covers almost every possible action or activity connected with the process of “initiation.”
- Hazing isn't just about results. Any action that could “foreseeably” result in harm qualifies.
- “Harm” is not limited to physical harm. The policy leaves it undefined, which means it could include emotional or psychological harm as well.
- Hazing is not limited to Greek activities. Any organization, from an athletic team to an honor society, can be accused of hazing.
- Moving activities off campus will not save you from a charge.
In addition, the policy goes on to note that a participant's "willingness" is not a defense. By conditioning membership in a group on participation, hazing by definition undermines the very notion of willingness.
Finally, while the University of Chicago doesn't designate specific sanctions for hazing incidents, organizations have lost their campus charters, and students have been dismissed over hazing activities.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
A policy this strict means innocent students are bound to be caught up in allegations. It means misunderstandings can happen easily. You have the right to defend yourself, though, the right to an investigation and to a hearing.
- Anyone can level an accusation of hazing against you or your organization. However, the university must decide whether the accusations are credible before proceeding to an investigation.
- The university must provide you with a Notice of the Charges any time you are under investigation. This notice should explain the allegations and contain a complete list of your due process rights.
- You should expect the school to conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation, you'll likely be asked to give a statement. One of your most important due process rights is the right to a support person, and this support person can be an attorney. This means that the Lento Law Firm attorney can be with you during any meetings to help you answer questions and protect all of your other rights.
- Investigators submit their findings back to the university. The school then sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more trained, unbiased decision-makers to preside.
- The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot conduct your defense for you at the hearing, but they can be on hand to offer advice as you make arguments, introduce evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.
- Decision-makers determine whether or not you are responsible for the offense by using a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." In simple terms, if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt, they must find you Responsible.
- You can appeal a hearing outcome, but you must have "grounds" for such an appeal. Simply disagreeing with the verdict is not grounds. You must be able to show that the university failed to follow procedure, that new evidence has arisen since the hearing, or that the sanction is disproportionate to the offense.
Hazing cases can be complex. Often, in addition to a careful reading of the facts of the case, success can hinge on subtle interpretations of school policy. You never want to take on such a case yourself. There's far too much at stake. Even a local or family attorney won't have the knowledge and skills to protect you.
The Lento Law Firm attorneys work with students every day. We know how to communicate with faculty and administrators. We know what to expect from a campus hearing. No one gives you a better chance of success than we do.
Fighting for Your Future
Hazing is a serious offense, and a Responsible finding can mean serious sanctions. Just because you've been charged, though, doesn't mean you'll necessarily be found Responsible. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can make sure you're fully prepared to defend yourself. They can insist the University of Chicago afford you every due process right to which you are entitled. In the end, they offer you your very best chance of success.
Let the Lento Law Firm help you fight for your academic future. To find out more, contact us today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
