IOWA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HAZING POLICY

The Iowa High School Athletic Association believes all individuals should be treated with respect and dignity.  Students should be able to participate in IHSAA-sponsored programs in an environment free from any behavior that is intimidating, hostile, offensive, or dangerous.  Each member school is responsible for taking such action and enacting such policies as may be necessary to address incidents of hazing and to ensure such conduct is prohibited.  Policies enacted by schools should be in accordance with sections of the Iowa Code that address hazing.

HAZING Iowa Code Section 708.10

1. a. A person commits an act of hazing when the person intentionally or recklessly engages in any act or acts involving forced activity which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university.  Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, forced confinement, or any other forced activity which endangers the physical health or safety of the student.

b. For purposes of this section, "forced activity" means any activity which is a condition of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, an organization, regardless of a student's willingness to participate in the activity.

2. A person who commits an act of hazing is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

3. A person who commits an act of hazing which causes serious bodily injury to another is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.