Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report

GSW is dedicated to the health, wellbeing, and safety of all students. Georgia Southwestern State University prohibits hazing. This prohibition applies to all students, faculty, staff, and affiliated individuals and extends to conduct occurring both on campus and at university-sponsored or university-affiliated activities off campus.

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.

Hazing is a criminal offense under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61). It is unlawful for any person to haze a student in connection with gaining or maintaining membership or status in a school organization. Hazing includes activities that endanger physical health or that coerce consumption of any substance creating a risk of intoxication or unconsciousness, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate. A violation is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and may result in criminal penalties in addition to institutional discipline.

How to Report Hazing

Reports of hazing may be submitted through the university’s See Something/Say Something form, by contacting the Office of Public Safety or local law enforcement, or by reporting to the Interim Executive Director of Student Affairs, Coordinator of Student Rights and Responsibilities, 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 university policy.

Investigation Process for Students and Student Organizations

Hazing allegations involving students or student organizations are investigated by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities under the Student Conduct Code.

After a report is received, the Coordinator of Student Rights and Responsibilities conducts the initial review and may impose interim measures.

The accused student or organization receives notice and any initial opportunity to respond.

GSW students and organizations will receive a written notice of allegations and be scheduled for a preliminary hearing.  The investigation consists of interviewing the parties involved and witnesses, collecting and reviewing relevant information and evidence, and documenting the findings in an Initial Investigation Report, with additional investigation conducted as needed based on the respondent’s response, followed by a Final Investigation Report for Adjudication. Case resolutions can be resolved through an informal or formal resolution. The standard review is based on the preponderance of the evidence; however, any decision to suspend or expel a student must also be supported by substantial evidence.

A written decision will be sent via email to the Respondent and Complainant (where applicable), and appeal information will be provided with the decision issued to a student or organization. All appeals must be submitted in writing and submitted to the Interim Executive Director of Student Affairs within five (5) business days of receipt of the decision.

Possible sanctions range from disciplinary warning, probation, financial restitution, community service, restrictions, or other educational sanctions.

Individuals are expected to cooperate with the investigation, and retaliation is not prohibited.

Please see GSW’s Hazing Policy and Student Code of Conduct for additional information.

Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report

Georgia Southwestern State University publishes hazing statistics in its Clery Act Annual Security Report. These statistics count all reports made to campus security authorities or local law enforcement that occurred within Clery Geography, regardless of whether a formal finding of responsibility resulted. Hazing statistics first appear in the 2025 Annual Security Report, available in our GSW Annual Security Report.

This Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report lists only those incidents involving students or school organizations that resulted in an official finding of responsibility, adjudication, or related criminal conviction. The two reports measure different things, and the numbers will not match.

Hazing violations involving school or student organizations are published in Georgia Southwestern State University’s Campus Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report, available at https://www.gsw.edu/rights-responsibilities/hazing-transparency-and-max-gruver-report.

This report is updated at least twice each year and within 15 days of any final adjudication or related criminal conviction. Disclosed information is retained for a minimum of five calendar years from the date of each update. The report does not include any personally identifiable information about individual students and is maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Hazing Disclosures