Since its inception, hazing has stirred controversy because of its potential and reputation for serious harm. Nevertheless, it persists as a problem for colleges and universities throughout the United States, including Alaska. That's why Alaska schools respond to it with a heavy hand.
If you're a college or university student in Alaska and have been accused of hazing, you might feel the pressure of that very hand. Your future may depend on whether you can prove your innocence or avoid a harsh punishment. For help, contact the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team at 888.535.3686 or fill out this contact form.
Why is Hazing Such a Serious Issue in Alaska?
Long-term physical disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and a multitude of other problems are all potential consequences for hazing victims. That's because hazing frequently involves beatings, bondage, verbal abuse, asphyxiation, sleep deprivation, public humiliation, sexual coercion, and other risky or illegal actions.
Even students who refuse to participate in hazing may find themselves harassed, bullied, pressured, or forced into participating, which is itself traumatic. Some hazing rituals may also affect third parties who have nothing to do with it.
Knowing all this, it's no surprise that Alaskan colleges and universities approach hazing with the gravity it deserves. They wish to create safe and productive learning environments, which is impossible with hazing.
Does Alaska Have Any Laws Against Hazing?
Alaska is one of six states in the United States that hasn't specifically criminalized hazing. However, Alaskan colleges and universities still implement policies designed to discourage and penalize hazing. Below are a few examples.
Defining Hazing
Just because there's no Alaskan law defining hazing doesn't mean the colleges and universities won't describe them. Providing a specific description of hazing allows an institution to begin an investigation on predetermined grounds regarding what you've done wrong and why.
For instance, the University of Alaska defines hazing as "an act(s) considered by a reasonable person to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to any person within the university community, when related to the admission, pledging, recruiting, joining, or continuing participation, in any group-affiliated activity." They also add that the victim's consent does not constitute a defense.
If you're a University of Alaska student, the school can point to this definition to explain why you're being investigated and possibly punished. You wouldn't be able to claim that you're ignorant of the rules or randomly targeted for a problem that the school made up.
Appealing to Community
Universities and colleges in Alaska promote collective resistance to hazing to reduce incidents and expedite reporting. In addition to defining hazing, the University of Alaska's student code of conduct states that merely assisting or allowing other students and guests to commit violations--including by hazing--is unacceptable. You can't passively allow it to happen and expect leniency.
The Fairbanks campus also notes that hazing and other forms of harassment "can negatively impact the organization and adversely affect our educational mission." That's why "[a]ll community members are responsible for creating a positive environment."
In other words, students are expected to be responsible not only for themselves, but each other. Anti-hazing is a group effort.
Showing Zero Tolerance
In their efforts to prevent hazing, universities and colleges in Alaska write policies that indicate zero tolerance for it. Such strict policies are meant to completely dissuade students from hazing.
For example, the Alaska Pacific University student handbook takes a simple and direct stance against hazing, stating, "Hazing in any form is prohibited." With such a broad yet firm statement, students only need to consider whether an activity they want to do may fall under the category of hazing. If there's a chance that it does, even remotely, it shouldn't be worth the risk of violating the policy.
Statements like these leave no wiggle room for interpretation; hazing is a violation of proper student conduct, plain and simple, and as such, it subjects offenders to disciplinary processes. Students who haze can't reasonably act surprised about receiving quick and harsh punishments.
How Do Alaska Colleges and Universities Address Hazing?
Just because Alaska doesn't have laws against hazing doesn't mean its colleges and universities don't have the motivation or means to handle it. The process could differ depending on the institution, but this is generally what you could expect.
Review of Allegations
Upon receiving a report of a hazing violation, the institution's department of student conduct will investigate and review. This may include verifying facts and evidence, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining testimonies from both the accuser and the accused.
During this process, the department administration will send a notification to the offender about the allegations and how they can participate in the review. If you've already received such a notification, contact the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team for support and guidance before scheduling a meeting with the department.
Administrative Proceeding
The department will set up a date, time, and place for an administrative proceeding where you'll have a chance to defend yourself. Although you may need the university's approval, it's crucial to bring an attorney from the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team to this proceeding. They'll work rigorously to present your side of the story in a compelling manner.
Notice of Conclusion
After the department has reviewed all the information and considered your side, they'll decide whether and how to discipline you. They will provide you with a written notice of their findings, reasoning, and any relevant consequences. In case you're dissatisfied with the results, they may also explain how you can appeal, though that's often reserved for minor infractions.
How Do Alaska Colleges and Universities Discipline Hazing?
Say that your college or university finds you guilty of hazing and decides to discipline you. What could that look like? In Alaska, you could expect one of the following outcomes.
Sanctions or Restrictions
Your school may no longer allow you to use certain equipment, rooms, facilities, or areas of the campus for as long as the administration deems appropriate. It's also possible that you will be required to take additional classes or agree to counseling and other sanctions. With the time, effort, and money that would take, you would have to focus less on your regular schoolwork, which could impact your grades.
Restitution
If you initiated or participated in hazing that caused physical, mental, or emotional harm to someone else, the school might demand that you pay restitution. You may only have to pay enough to cover medical or therapy costs, but that's up to the school's discretion. Depending on what you must pay, you may be less able to afford your tuition and other school-related expenses.
Suspension
Perhaps your school will choose to suspend you. In this case, you would be barred from attending classes, school activities, or the campus itself for a predetermined period of time. You may have to meet specific conditions to re-enroll. If you decide to apply for another school instead, you could face rejection with this unattractive mark on your record.
Expulsion
Expulsion means that you are permanently banned from the school and all its classes, activities, and equipment. This is a challenging decision to appeal, and with it on your school record, you could have equal difficulty gaining admission to a different institution.
Why are Alaska Colleges and Universities So Harsh on Hazing?
Chances are you never intended hazing to hurt anyone. Most students engage in hazing simply for fun or to benignly assert authority over someone else. Why would Alaskan colleges and universities be so strict about something that's meant for entertainment and simply got out of hand?
The fact of the matter is that hazing is usually harmful. In fact, it can cause injury or distress for multiple parties, including the following.
The Victim
Victims of hazing tend to endure significant physical, mental, and emotional pain because of the rituals in which they must participate. For some victims, the harm they suffer is so intense that they drop out of school, perform poorly at work, destroy their relationships, or lose their ability to carry out normal daily functions.
Hazing policies in Alaskan colleges and universities are designed to protect and advocate for students whose experiences as victims could prevent them from optimizing their educational opportunities or growing into productive members of society.
The Offender
You may already know this from what you're experiencing as the accused, but gazing affects offenders negatively, too. In addition to jeopardizing your standing at your college or university, you might be dealing with strained relationships, trouble focusing on schoolwork, and increased financial burdens—all because of hazing. If you decided to haze due to underlying self-esteem issues, you may also feel that they have worsened beneath the pressure of your case.
Alaskan colleges and universities deal strictly with hazing to discourage students from casting shadows over their own lives. Undergoing disciplinary action from the school could alter your educational and vocational paths, too, so you would have difficulty improving yourself as expected after hazing. The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team is instrumental in helping you put this incident fully behind you.
The Campus Environment
Hazing activities commonly take place on campus or other school-owned areas. They may also occur at any hour of the day or night. Considering how chaotic they can become—particularly when injuries are involved—hazing rituals can make a school environment feel disruptive and unsafe. Alaskan colleges and universities take a firm stance against hazing to better support all their students.
The University or College
Universities and colleges in Alaska must protect themselves to continue operating. Low enrollment rates lead to less funding from tuition, donations, and state taxes. A safe, positive, and productive learning environment is essential for attracting students, who are less likely to enroll in a particular college or university if it has a reputation for hazing.
Plus, school administrations don't want to spend the funding they do get on compensating hazing victims. Throughout the United States, hazing lawsuits have cost schools millions of dollars. Adopting a zero-tolerance policy on hazing helps Alaskan colleges and universities stay in business.
Hire the Lento Law Firm, Not a Local Criminal Law Attorney
Hazing itself isn't illegal in Alaska, but many of the activities used in rituals are considered criminal. If you're accused of hazing, you could theoretically be charged for multiple crimes rather than just one. Nevertheless, hiring the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team makes more sense than a local criminal law attorney, and this is why.
They Understand the Real Opponent
Most hazing incidents are handled through civil courts and school disciplinary committees. Also, since there's no law against hazing in Alaska, colleges and universities don't have many limitations on how to deal with accusations or punish convictions. They could deny your due process in their rush to clean up after the hazing.
Knowing all this, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team will advocate for you directly to the student conduct department at your college or university. Rather than wasting time and effort on strategizing for defense against criminal charges, they'll focus on the real problem—keeping you in good standing with your school.
They'll Protect Your Reputation
Hazing incidents often make the news, possibly identifying the perpetrators. It's possible that you will suffer the effects of a bad reputation if the public finds out about how the accusations against you.
Fortunately, the Lento Law Firm is experienced with the press. Their defense will safeguard your name and character so that the public looks upon you with sympathy or remains ignorant of your identity altogether.
They Have an Excellent Track Record
No matter how complex and challenging your case might be, it will not be the first such case for the Lento Law Firm. They've spent years cultivating a reputation for winning difficult and sensitive cases of all kinds throughout the United States.
Your future matters so put it into the hands of the Lento Law Firm. They've proven repeatedly that their clients' needs are safe with them.
Defend Yourself from Hazing Accusations at University
While hazing is a serious issue, your rights and potential should be taken just as seriously. Don't let this accusation determine the rest of your life; arrange a powerful defense to keep your plans on track and help you move on. Call the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team at 888.535.3686 or fill out a contact form and schedule a consultation.
