Recognized student organizations are expected to observe the policies, rules, and regulations of Iowa State University, and local, state and federal laws.  Failure to abide by these policies and laws could result in individual and/or organizational charges from the Office of Student Conduct (Student Organization Disciplinary Information). 

This page is intended to provide helpful information and resources to student organizations to understand University policy and actions that might constitute a violation. Student Organizations should review the Student Code of Conduct.

Members or leaders of student organizations may sometimes be reluctant to seek assistance for another student or visitor in health and safety-related situations, particularly when controlled substances or alcohol are present or being used, or when the organization may be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Generally, the Student Code of Conduct indicates that a violation may be regarded as less serious if organizational leadership:

  • Self-reports a violation; or
  • Situations in which, immediately after the conduct and before being notified that disciplinary action may occur, the student organization takes significant measures to correct the conduct or lessen the damage, among other criteria.

In situations where a health/safety issue arises, and medical attention or police assistance may be needed for a student or a visitor, the Office of Student Conduct has outlined a recommended responsible action protocol for student organizations to consider. 

In situations where a controlled substance or alcohol emergency has been identified and where medical or police assistance is needed, organizational leadership is encouraged to follow the recommended responsible reporting protocol, which considers the Medical Amnesty Provision for Responsible Action. When organizational leadership follow this protocol, this may mitigate potential student disciplinary consequences in any subsequent student conduct process.

  1. A member of an organization’s leadership seeks assistance (medical and/or police) to address a health/safety situation.
  2. Within 12-24 hours of the incident, organizational leadership contacts and submits an initial report to:
    • The university affiliated staff/faculty advisor on record to report the issue.
    • The Office of Student Conduct.
    • The Office of Sorority & Fraternity Engagement (If the incident involves a sorority or fraternity).
  3. This initial report should include:
    • A description of the incident and actions taken.
    • The name(s) of student(s) receiving medical attention and name(s) of any other impacted students.
  4. Organizational leadership will be expected to submit a more detailed report to the Office of Student Conduct within the week.
    • All information in this reporting form must be thorough, truthful, and complete, and include names of all students and/or guests involved and information regarding their involvement.

Iowa State University prioritizes the health and safety of its students. Students may hesitate to seek help in alcohol- or drug-related emergencies due to fear of disciplinary consequences. Because these situations can be life-threatening, the University seeks to remove barriers that prevent students from calling for assistance.

Accordingly, students who voluntarily seek emergency medical attention for themselves or someone else related to the consumption of alcohol or drugs may be referred for substance abuse evaluation and/or treatment, and/or the educational alternative resolution program, instead of facing university charges and sanctions for alcohol-or drug-related policy violations. 

Students may additionally be referred to Student Assistance for appropriate follow-up, including ensuring students are aware of the support and resources available.

Medical Amnesty applies only when a student initiates the call for emergency medical attention and when the emergency medical attention is needed to address alcohol or drug emergencies. It does not apply when the individual suffering from an alcohol or drug emergency is discovered by a University official (e.g., security, resident assistant, etc.).

If a representative of an organization hosting a registered event calls for medical assistance, this act of responsibility may be considered in potential disciplinary consequences that could arise against the organization.

Medical Amnesty does not apply to violations of the Student Code of Student Conduct that are egregious and fall outside alcohol or drug-related policy violations, including, but not limited to, cases involving sexual assault, weapons possession, possession of drugs that induce incapacitation, and drug offenses extending beyond possession.  

Iowa State strongly encourages victims who have been sexually assaulted after consuming alcohol or drugs and witnesses of such assaults to come forward without fear of disciplinary action by the University. Iowa State strongly encourages students to seek emergency treatment when alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose is suspected.

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless action, request, or creation of circumstances that may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any person; or
  • Causes or presents a substantial risk of physical injury, serious mental distress, or personal humiliation to any individual; or
  • Involves any act solely based on the classification status of a student; or
  • Involves the damage, destruction or removal of public or private property; or
  • Involves impairment of physical liberties, such as sensory deprivation, kidnapping, isolation, sleep or meal deprivation, and personal servitude;
  • Involves a violation of local, state, or federal law or university policy; or
  • Otherwise creates an interference with academic endeavors;

And is in connection or associated with initiation or admission into, or continued membership in, or elevating status within any recognized student organization or group affiliated with the university, including but not limited to, any student, campus, fraternal, academic, honorary, musical, athletic, or military organization.

Individual acceptance of or agreement to engage in any activity that occurs during an initiation rite does not affect a determination of whether the activity constitutes hazing.

Both individuals and groups may be held accountable under this policy. Failing to intervene to prevent and/or failing to report those acts may also violate this policy. Any individual who plans or intentionally assists in hazing is in violation of this section, whether or not that individual is present when the hazing activity occurs.

Violations under this section may include activities that are not consistent with the parent organization’s (where applicable) rules and regulations.

This policy is developed in compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Iowa Code Section 708.10, which define and prohibit hazing activities.

  1. 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. 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.

In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Iowa State University offers an online course focused on hazing prevention and education. The course helps individuals understand the serious impacts of hazing and promotes the creation of safer, more supportive environments at Iowa State University.

Electronic Reporting Form

Concerns of hazing can be reported using the hazing incident reporting form. Please complete the form as detailed and thoroughly as possible. Detailed and thorough information is important in order for the Office of Student Conduct to follow-up on the allegation.

Please Note: After submitted a report to our office, a staff member may follow-up with you regarding the concern you have reported, provide resources, and clarify any vague information. To the extent possible, reporting party names are kept private in the course of an investigation, but may need to be disclosed during the adjudication process. For questions regarding reporting, please contact the Office of Student Conduct directly.

Office of Student Conduct 

Contact for a concern of hazing related to any student and/or student organizations. You may email, call, or schedule an appointment. 

Email: knowthecode@iastate.edu 

Phone: 515-294-1020

Scheduling: Please use Navigate to schedule an appointment with a student conduct staff.

Iowa State Police Department (on-campus concerns)

Contact for a concern of hazing related to any student and/or student organizations. 

Phone: 515-294-4428

Ames Police Department (Off-Campus concerns) 

Contact for a concern of hazing related to any student and/or student organizations. 

Phone: 515-239-5133

Is your group or student organization interested in learning more about the Office of Student Conduct? You can request the Office of Student Conduct come speak with your group or organization about the Student Code of Conduct or other questions pertaining to the office. To request a speaker, just complete the Student Conduct Speaker Request Form. Once submitted, a member of the Office of Student Conduct will follow up with you through your university email to confirm scheduling.