Dalton State’s Statement on Hazing
Dalton State College prohibits hazing. This prohibition applies to students and student organizations (including school organizations) and extends to conduct occurring both on campus and at College-sponsored or College-affiliated activities, as well as other off campus conduct that violates the Student Code of Conduct.
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act against another person, regardless of whether that person agrees to participate, that is connected to joining, belonging to, or staying in a student or school organization. The act must cause or create a risk of physical or psychological harm that goes beyond the normal risks of the organization’s activities.
How to Report
Reports of hazing may be submitted through the College’s Online Referral form, by contacting the Department of Public Safety or local law enforcement, or by reporting to the Dean of Students, Provost, or Human Resources, depending on the individuals involved.
Retaliation against individuals who report hazing or participate in an investigation is strictly prohibited. Knowingly filing a false report also constitutes a violation of College policy.
Federal and State Laws Related to Hazing
- The Georgia Anti-Hazing Act (O.C.G.A § 16-5-61), also known as the Max Gruver Act, makes it a misdemeanor of a higher or aggravated nature to “haze any student in connection with or as a condition or precondition of gaining acceptance, membership, office, or other status in a school organization.” Penalties could include incarceration, fines, or both.
- The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) amends section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act, otherwise known as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act). This Act requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to report hazing incidents in the Annual Security Report.
Investigation Process for Students and Student Organizations
- Allegations of hazing involving students or student organizations are investigated by the Community Standards & Student Outreach office under the College’s Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures for behavioral misconduct. The Student Conduct Administrator conducts an initial review and may impose temporary protective measures. The respondent (student or student organization) receives written notice of the allegations and an opportunity for a preliminary disciplinary meeting. A prompt, impartial investigation follows, including interviews and evidence review. The case may resolve informally if responsibility is accepted, or it proceeds to a formal hearing before a Single Hearing Officer or a Student Conduct Board using the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. A written decision outlines the outcome and sanctions; respondents have appeal rights for suspension or expulsion. Organizational findings are published in Dalton State’s public Campus Hazing Transparency Report. For full details see: Student Code of Conduct.
Investigation Process for Faculty and Staff
- Allegations of hazing involving faculty are referred to the Provost (or designee), while allegations involving staff are referred to the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources (or designee). These cases are investigated under the College’s standard employee misconduct procedures (Human Resources Policies for staff and Faculty Handbook/USG Board of Regents policies for faculty). The process includes an initial review of the report, a fact-finding investigation with interviews and evidence collection, an opportunity for the employee to respond, a determination of whether a violation occurred, and appropriate disciplinary action if substantiated (ranging from a written warning to termination of employment). All employees must cooperate fully with any investigation, and retaliation against reporters or participants is strictly prohibited. Faculty and staff cases are handled separately from the student conduct process through the Community Standards & Student Outreach office.
Campus Hazing Transparency & Max Gruver Report
As part of the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) and the Max Gruver Act, we will create and maintain a report of the summarized findings concerning any student/school organization to be found in violation of the Dalton State Hazing Policy.
Reports will contain the following information:
- Findings of any person or student organization found to have violated the University’s Hazing Policy;
- Criminal convistions for hazing, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16- 5-61; and
- Other criminal convictions arising from any incident of hazing.
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the report shall not include or otherwise reveal any personally identifiable information. Hazing-related violations will be maintained for five (5) years. This report will be updated no less than two times each year and within 15 days of any final adjudication of having violations.
Dalton State also publishes annual hazing statistics in its Clery Act Annual Security Report. Those statistics count every report to campus police, campus security staff, or other school officials who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities (such as housing, student discipline, or campus judicial proceedings), as well as reports made to local law enforcement when the incident occurred within the institution’s Clery Geography (on campus, public property immediately adjacent to campus, and other locations the institutions owns or controls).
The Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report lists only official findings of responsibility, adjudications, and related criminal convictions involving student or school organizations. Because two reports measure different things, the numbers will not match. The Annual Security Report provides a broad statistical picture of reported incidents; this report shows cases that resulted in formal findings so the public can see how the institution holds organizations accountable
Dalton State must publicly disclose all hazing incidents per the Max Gruver Act. The following information was updated August 19, 2026.
2026-2027 Academic Year
No incidents reported at this time.
2025-2026 Academic Year
No incidents
2024-2025 Academic Year
No incidents
2023-2024 Academic Year
No incidents
2022-2023 Academic Year
No incidents
2021-2022 Academic Year
Organization: Alpha Kappa Lambda
Incident date: September 13, 2021
Related findings and outcomes: On October 21, 2021, found responsible for hazing in the form of requiring calisthenics. Placed on disciplinary probation through May 27, 2022, required to complete AKL Foundations, AKL 101, and AKL Ritual & Ceremonies Training through AKL National Headquarters. The chapter is also required to complete a mandatory workshop with the Dean of Students Office in partnership with Student Life for education on hazing, accountability, and building healthy groups/teams.
Removal from list: October 21, 2021
Prevention and Education Programs
The Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Students online training helps students understand what hazing is, why it is harmful, and how it can show up in student organizations, teams, and campus groups. It explains that hazing can still be serious even if someone feels pressured to go along with it, and it helps students recognize warning signs and unhealthy group behaviors. The training also encourages students to look out for one another, speak up when something feels wrong, and use campus resources to report concerns. Overall, the module is important because it supports a safer, more respectful campus community where students are treated with dignity and care. All enrolled students have access to the Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Students course through Vector Solutions. Link
Clery Act
Clery Crime Statistics reflect statistics for the past three years related to crimes and incidents reported to DSC Police Department, local law enforcement agencies and campus security authorities (whether the crime occurred on campus, in off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the College, or on public property adjacent to campus). View reports HERE.