Life at LSSU

Discrimination: RSOs shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, weight, height, marital status or parental status, or sex, unless pursuant to an exception recognized by applicable federal and state law. A non-discrimination clause must be in all RSO constitutions.

• Any Registered Student Organization with selective membership criteria must state this criterion in their constitution. The Office of Student Life and university administration may review and evaluate membership selection practices at any time to ensure compliance of federal, state, and university policy.

By participating in student organizations, as a member and/or as a participant, it is assumed participation is voluntary and by its very nature, carries with it certain inherent risks. Specific risks vary based upon the activity and can range from minor injuries to catastrophic accidents that can result in major injury or death. Lake Superior State University encourages participants to consult with a doctor regarding any strenuous activity since no health or accident insurance is provided for student organization participants by Lake Superior State University or the State of Michigan. Participants acknowledge, understand, and accept the risks that are inherent in participation in student organization activities and assert that participation is voluntary and that participants assume all such risks.

While conducting business or participating in events, an RSO shall be responsible for all activities and/or damages that may result. An RSO must exercise reasonable caution to ensure that it and its contracted agents and vendors do not cause harm and/or damage to the  students, University employees, the University, or other organizations or their property.

RSOs are responsible for not harming individuals or fostering an environment that may constitute a serious danger to the personal safety or well-being of a member or guest of the University community and do not obstruct or seriously impair University run or University authorized activities.

RSOs may not knowingly organize, sponsor, cosponsor, or in any way coordinate an event with any student organization that has been prohibited from participating in that type of event or has had its RSO status terminated. If an RSO is suspended or on probation, the RSO shall not participate in any activities which would violate the conditions of the suspension or probation.

RSO are accountable, through their primary contact, officers, and other designated representatives, to the University. When an organization’s primary contact, officers, or other designated representatives make a knowingly false statement, either orally or in writing, to any University employee, committee, or agent, on a matter relating to the activities of the organization or its members, the organization shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Registered student organizations are expected to uphold the highest standards of safety, legality, and responsibility when hosting events—whether on or off campus. This includes strict adherence to university policies, as well as local, state, and federal laws regarding the use, possession, and distribution of alcohol and other drugs.

Violations may include, but are not limited to:

• Serving alcohol to minors or individuals who are visibly and unsafely intoxicated
• Possession or consumption of illegal drugs or controlled substances
• Allowing underage possession or use of alcohol
• Failing to follow university-mandated event registration or approval procedures
• Creating an unsafe environment due to substance use

Membership in a registered student organization at LSSU is intended to be a valuable and beneficial experience to each student who takes part. RSOs are expected to provide new members with an orientation that is positive, informative and in alignment with federal, state, and local laws, as well as LSSU policies. 

Any form of hazing is prohibited by University policy and Michigan State Law, in accordance with Michigan Penal Code 750.411t. An RSO shall not conduct or condone any activity expected of someone joining the RSO or to maintain full status in the RSO that humiliates, degrades, abuses, endangers, sexually violates, causes emotional and/or physical harm, or requires a person to give up personal liberty regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. 

If this behavior is reported to the university, the university may investigate the concerns related to a potential hazing policy violation. It should be noted that it is not a defense to prosecution of an offense that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.

1. For activities to be considered hazing, forced or mandated participation is not required.
2. If a new member feels that they will not be considered a fully participating member of the group or feels that they would be ostracized for not participating in particular behaviors, then such implied coercion would be considered hazing.

SUBTLE HAZING: behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members/rookies and other members of the group or team are termed “subtle hazing” because these types of hazing are often taken-for-granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. Subtle hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members/rookies on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New members/rookies often feel the  need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the group or team. Examples include:

• Deception
• Implied requirement to participate in illegal or dangerous activities
• Silence periods with implied threats for violation
• Deprivation of privileges granted to other members
• Requiring new members/rookies to perform duties not assigned to other members
• Socially isolating new members/rookies
• Line-ups and drills/tests on meaningless information
• Requiring new members/rookies to refer to other members with titles (e.g. “Mr.,” “Miss”) while they are identified with demeaning terms
• Expecting certain items to always be in one’s possession
• Servitude
• Taking away cell phones
• Not allowing class attendance

HARASSMENT HAZING: involves behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the group. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members. Examples include:

• Verbal abuse
• Threats or implied threats
• Asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire
• Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or humiliating acts
• Expecting new members/rookies to perform personal service to other members such as carrying books, errands, cooking, cleaning, etc.
• Sleep deprivation
• Sexual simulations
• Expecting new members/rookies to be deprived of maintaining a normal schedule of bodily cleanliness
• Being expected to harass others
• Engaging in activities designed to create excessive fatigue
• Smearing of substances on skin

VIOLENT HAZING: includes behaviors that have the potential to cause physical, emotional, and/or psychological harm. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Forced or coerced (explicit or implied) alcohol or other drug consumption
• Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
• Branding
• Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or concoctions
• Burning
• Water intoxication
• Expecting abuse or mistreatment of animals
• Public nudity
• Expecting illegal activity
• Bondage
• Abductions/kidnaps
• Exposure to cold weather or extreme heat without appropriate protection

Reporting: If there is an activity or event that could be considered hazing, RSOs are expected to report hazing by contacting [email protected], who will connect the report to the proper individuals. If there is imminent danger or bodily harm, RSOs are expected to contact emergency services (911, LSSU Public Safety 906-635-2100, or City of Sault Ste. Marie Police 906-632-5744).

Retaliation is defined as intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any member of an RSO for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege related to participating in a student group OR because a student has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner of an investigation, proceeding, or hearing related to RSO misconduct. This behavior is strictly prohibited, and any concerns of retaliation should be directed to the Office of Student Life for further discussion and possible investigation. 

Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, sex-based misconduct, relationship violence, discrimination based on pregnancy, and the failure to provide equal opportunities in employment, admissions, or any educational programs or activities.

Title IX does not apply to the membership practices of a social fraternity or social sorority if the active membership consists primarily of students in attendance at an institution of higher education and the fraternity or sorority is exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code. 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a)(6)(A); 34 C.F.R. § 106.14(a). All other programs and activities of social fraternities and sororities are governed by Title IX if they receive any Federal financial assistance.

Professional fraternities and sororities and service and honor societies are subject to the requirements of Title IX and may not exclude members on the basis of sex. 34 C.F.R. § 106.31(b)(7). An affirmative answer to any of the following questions is evidence that the organization is professional, service, or honorary in nature and not a social fraternity or sorority for Title IX purposes.

1. Is the organization’s membership limited to persons pursuing or having interest in a particular field of study, profession, or academic discipline?
2. Is the membership limited to individuals who have a high level of achievement in scholarship or any other endeavor?
3. Are the members permitted to hold membership in other fraternities or sororities at the same level of education?

Members of student organizations may not independently and/or personally profit from events or fundraisers held at Lake Superior State University. Money collected at any event must be deposited into the organization account by the end of the next business day. Failure to deposit money raised at an event or fundraiser will result in disciplinary action as determined by the Office of Student Life in conjunction with university conduct officials.

All student organization members, including executive officers, are expected to follow reasonable instructions from University employees acting in their official capacity related to health, safety, or University policy. An advisor’s personal preferences or directives do not constitute official University instructions. Failure to comply with legitimate University directives may result in sanctions against the organization.

A student organization may be subject to disciplinary sanctions if one or more organization members aids or abets another member of their organization or as a benefit to another organization.

A student organization may be subject to disciplinary sanctions if one or more organization members violates University regulations at an event sponsored by the organization or in the course of the organization’s affairs and the organization failed to exercise reasonable preventive measures. Sanctions may also be imposed on the organization if the activity of one or more members at the organization-sponsored event seriously threatens

(a) any educational process or other legitimate function of the University or

(b) the health or safety of any member of the academic community.

Student organizations shall not foster, promote, or participate in activities that unreasonably threaten the safety or well-being of their members, other people, or animals on or off campus including:

Physical Violence: Fighting; assault; battery; use of a knife, gun, or other weapon; physical abuse; restraining and/or transporting someone against his/her will; or acting in a manner that threatens or endangers the physical health or safety of any person(s) or animals or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm. 

Fire Safety: Engaging in misuse or unauthorized use of firefighting, fire sprinkling systems and other safety equipment or warning devices or fail to evacuate when a fire alarm is activated. 

Harassment: Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity. 

Weapons: No student organization shall possess or use firearms, explosives (including firecrackers), weapons or dangerous chemicals during any student organization activity. This includes, but is not limited to, BB guns, knives, swords, handguns, shotguns, and rifles.

All student organization funds must be managed in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, as well as University policies, including but not limited to the Student Organization Handbook, Student Government Association guidelines, and applicable institutional financial regulations. Misuse of funds—including improper use of university purchase cards (P-cards)—may result in sanctions against the organization, removal of funding privileges, or referral for further disciplinary action.
Faculty and staff advisors are responsible for adhering to all federal, state, and university employee reimbursement and financial policies. Advisors serve in a supportive role and may not direct or override student decisions regarding organizational funds except to ensure compliance with applicable laws or University policy.

Student organizations are encouraged to seek external sponsorships to support their activities and goals. All sponsorships must comply with federal and state laws and align with the University’s mission and values. The following restrictions apply:

• Sponsorships from tobacco companies, illegal drug-related businesses, or establishments whose primary purpose conflicts with University policy or applicable law are prohibited.
• Sponsorships from alcohol vendors are limited to monetary contributions only. In-kind gifts, branded merchandise, or product donations from alcohol vendors are not permitted.
• All sponsorship agreements must be disclosed to and approved by the appropriate University office prior to acceptance.