A person commits the offense of hazing if they knowingly participate in or causes a willful act, occurring on- or off-campus, directed against a student or a prospective member of any organization that recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or prospective member for the purpose of initiation or admission into or continued membership in any such organization to the extent that such person is knowingly placed at probable risk of the loss of life or probable bodily or psychological harm. Consent is not a defense of hazing. Examples of hazing include
- Any activity which recklessly endangers the physical health or safety of the student or prospective member, including but not limited to physical brutality, whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance or forced smoking or chewing of tobacco products; or
- Any activity which recklessly endangers the mental health of the student or prospective member, including but not limited to sleep deprivation, physical confinement, or other extreme stress-inducing activity; or
- Any activity that requires the student or prospective member to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the criminal laws of this state or any political subdivision in this state.
- Other acts of hazing include but are not limited to, personal servitude; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; inappropriate or illegal quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts (such as theft of specified items), road trips, or any other such activities; wearing apparel publicly that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities; threatening a person with social or other ostracism; encouraging consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs; and any other activities not consistent with the mission statement of this institution.
Missouri's anti-hazing law, Section 578.365, defines hazing as a "willful act, occurring on or off the property of any public or private college or university, directed against a student or a prospective member of an organization" that "recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety" of the student or prospective member. The purpose of the hazing must be "for the purpose of initiation or admission into or continued membership in any such organization." Consent is not a defense to hazing. Hazing is a class A misdemeanor in the state of Missouri, unless the act "creates a substantial risk to the life of the student or prospective member," in which case it is a class D felony.