(a) Hazing is any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health and/or safety of a student for purposes including but not limited to initiation or admission into, or association or affiliation with, any registered student organization or other group whether or not officially recognized by the University. Hazing which violates Florida Statutes may result in felony charges. A student may commit an act of hazing whether the student is a prospective, current, or former member of the organization or group. The actions of active, associate, new and/or prospective members, former members, or alumni of a registered student organization or other student group may be considered hazing under this rule.
(b) Hazing includes brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any food, liquor, liquid, drug, or other substances; or other forced elements; or other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental or physical health or safety of the individual.
(c) Hazing includes any activity that could subject the individual to extreme mental or physical stress such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other activity that could adversely affect the mental or physical health or dignity of the individual.
(d) Hazing includes forcing, pressuring, coercing, or requiring the violation of University policies, federal, state, or local law.
(e) Hazing includes soliciting a person to commit or being actively involved in the planning of any act of hazing as defined above where the act of hazing creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death to the person(s) hazed.
(f) It is not a defense to an allegation of hazing that:
(g) Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.
(h) All student groups, whether or not registered with the University and whether or not officially recognized by the University are subject to the same hazing prohibitions set out in this section (10). With regard to student groups that are not registered students organizations, and against which there is an allegation of hazing, the principles of group responsibility and scope provisions of University Regulation 5.011(1)(b), (1)(c), and (4) shall apply, as well as the conduct proceeding procedures of University Regulation 5.013.