At Â鶹AV, we are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students and prohibit hazing in any form. This prohibition applies to all students, faculty, staff, and affiliated organizations and extends to conduct occurring both on campus and at university-sponsored or university-affiliated activities off campus.
Hazing is defined as any conduct, on or off campus, that goes beyond the normal expectations of an organization's purpose and:
Allegations of hazing should be reported as soon as possible and may be reported through any University reporting channel, including the Â鶹AV Ethics Reporting Hotline. In emergencies, individuals should contact the Â鶹AV Police Department at (706) 721-2911.
Additionally, students may report hazing incidents to any University office or directly to the Office of the Dean of Students by calling (706) 737-1411 or emailing DeanOfStudents@augusta.edu.
All submissions are handled with the strictest confidence. Your willingness to report these acts is crucial in helping us stop hazing and maintain a safe environment for everyone in our community. If you witness or are aware of hazing on the Â鶹AV campus, we urge you to submit an incident report below.
Â鶹AV (AU) provides all students, faculty, and staff with research-informed, hazing prevention, awareness, and education programs. These programs include the Vector Solutions Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Students and the Vector Solutions Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Faculty and Staff training modules. These trainings help students and employees better understand hazing, recognize its warning signs, and take steps to prevent incidents from occurring.
In addition, AU offers educational programs designed to increase awareness of hazing, its risks, and prevention strategies. These efforts promote a safer campus environment through education, policy implementation, and accessible reporting mechanisms.
(O.C.G.A. § 16-5-61), also known as the Max Gruver Act, makes it a misdemeanor of a high 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 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 and on their Campus Hazing Transparency Report.
Investigation Process for Students
Hazing allegations involving students or student organizations are investigated by the Dean of Students Office and will be adjudicated through the Student Conduct Process, outlined in the AU Code of Conduct. The accused student or organization receives written notice of the complaint and allegations, possible charges and sanctions, available support services, and the identity of the investigator(s). The accused may provide information to the investigator and may remain silent or otherwise choose not to participate in the investigation or resolution process without an adverse inference resulting.
Upon receipt of a formal complaint, an investigation will be conducted to gather available information, including documents, interviews with the accused, reporter(s), and witnesses, as well as other information pertaining to the incident. At the conclusion of the investigation, a final investigative report will be completed and provided to the accused at least five business days before a hearing; the report will identify any resulting charges, the facts and evidence supporting those charges, and witness statements. If there is insufficient evidence to support a charge or warrant further consideration of discipline, the complaint may be dismissed; otherwise, the matter may proceed to a hearing before a hearing officer and/or hearing panel.
A written decision will be provided in accordance with the Student Conduct Process and the AU Code of Conduct. Possible sanctions include those identified in the AU Code of Conduct. Individuals are expected to cooperate with the investigation; however, the accused may remain silent or otherwise choose not to participate without an adverse inference resulting.
Investigation Process for Employees
Employee hazing allegations are addressed in accordance with applicable University policies and procedures governing employee misconduct, including Human Resources policies for staff employees and the Faculty Handbook and University System of Georgia Board of Regents policies applicable to faculty members. The investigative process generally includes an initial assessment of the allegation, fact-finding through interviews and review of relevant evidence, an opportunity for the employee to respond to the allegations, and a determination regarding whether University policy has been violated. If allegations are substantiated, corrective or disciplinary action may be imposed in accordance with applicable policies and procedures, up to and including termination of employment. Employees are expected to cooperate fully with authorized investigations. Retaliation against any individual who reports a concern, provides information, or participates in an investigation is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
In compliance with Georgia Senate Bill 85, the Max Gruver Act, Â鶹AV publicly discloses all administrative student and student organization adjudications involving hazing, as well as hazing-related convictions resulting from violations of the.
The report includes:
This information is published within 15 calendar days of a final institutional decision or criminal conviction and remains publicly available for at least five years. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, the report does not contain personally identifiable information about any student.
Annual hazing statistics are also published in the University's Annual Fire Safety and Security Report. This report includes incidents reported to:
The Annual Fire Safety and Security Report is available here.
The Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report includes only cases that resulted in official findings of responsibility, adjudications, or related criminal convictions involving students or student organizations. By contrast, the Annual Security Report provides a statistical overview of all reported incidents. The Hazing Transparency and Max Gruver Report focuses specifically on cases that resulted in formal findings, allowing the public to understand how the institution addresses and holds organizations accountable for hazing misconduct.
Organization: Pi Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.
Investigation began on October 27, 2025. Final investigative report completed January 8, 2026.
Dates of Incidents: Various instances beginning Summer 2025 and lasting through September 2025.
General Description: Several claims of hazing were submitted to the University by a reporter on Friday, October 24, 2025. A panel of the Student Conduct Board determined the following findings:
Findings: Organization was found responsible for the following Code of Conduct charges:
Sanctions: Organizational Suspension through July 31, 2027.
Organization Notified: The organization was notified of the Student Conduct Board’s decision on February 13, 2026.