The Student Union and Department of Student Activities require all student organizations to sign an Anti-Hazing Policy form, as dictated by Massachusetts law. But as of Oct. 16, only 115 out of 160 clubs listed on the myBrandeis Web site had signed the form, according to Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes. Student Activities states on its Web site that "one representative from each club and organization must sign this form on behalf of the organization in order to achieve proper recognition from the Student Union."

If club leaders fail to sign the form, the Union Senate may choose to decharter their organizations. Though the Senate can vote to decharter a club, any club can apply to be rechartered, according to Union Executive Senator Jenna Rubin '11.

Dechartered clubs "are no longer allowed to reserve space, receive funding or market themselves," said Grimes.

A complete list of student groups that have and have not yet signed the form will be available on the Student Activities Web site this week, according to Grimes.

Massachusetts law defines hazing as "any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person."

The Massachusetts Act Prohibiting the Practice of Hazing (Chapter 269 of General Laws) requires all Massachusetts public and private universities and colleges to distribute copies of the law to all student organizations and teams and to adopt a disciplinary policy to enforce anti-hazing regulations, according to the 2009 to 2010 Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

"I am working with the recognized, chartered and securely funded groups, [and Club Sports Coordinator] Ben White is working with club sports teams," said Grimes.

Both White and Student Activities are educating student groups about the state law and are asking students to sign forms in order to indicate that they have read and are aware of the regulations, according to Grimes.

Grimes did not know why 45 recognized clubs had not yet signed the anti-hazing policy agreement.

"Other than club leaders not knowing that they need to complete the form, I don't know why they wouldn't complete the form," said Grimes.

Rubin supports the University's insistence on requiring all organizations to sign the Anti-Hazing Policy form.

"It just makes sense," she said.

"Often we think that hazing only applies to fraternities and sororities, but that's not correct. Any club or group is capable of hazing, and that's why every club has to sign this form," said Rubin

Though Brandeis is required to enforce anti-hazing policy in accordance with Massachusetts law, the University does not have a significant history of hazing practices.

"I have not heard of a problem with hazing related to a club [at Brandeis], although that doesn't mean it hasn't happened," said Rubin.

"This is definitely a preventative measure," she said.