Virginia Code Title 23.1. Institutions of Higher Education;  Other Educational and Cultural Institutions § 23.1-819. Definitions

For the purposes of this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

“Bullying” means the same as that term is defined in § 22.1-276.01.

“Hazing” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-56.

“Institution” or “institution of higher education” means any nonprofit private institution of higher education and any public institution of higher education as defined in § 23.1-100.

“Local organization” means a group that is not chartered or recognized by an institution or a national organization but is composed of members who are students at such institution and the institution is aware of the local organization's existence or becomes aware of its existence after a hazing incident is reported to the institution.

“New member” means an individual who has been offered an invitation for membership in a student organization with new members but has not yet been initiated and is not recognized as a full member of the organization.

“New member event” means an official event or gathering hosted by a student organization with new members prior to new members of such organization being initiated into the organization to which all new members and members of the student organization hosting the event are invited or are instructed to attend.

“Potential new member” means an individual who has expressed interest in joining a student organization with new members by signing up to go through a recruitment process for such organization or organizations.

“Student organization recognized by an institution of higher education” means any group or organization on campus, including varsity intercollegiate and club athletic teams, recognized by an institution of higher education.

“Student organization with new members” means a student organization officially recognized by an institution of higher education structured in such a way that upon invitation for membership, individuals do not automatically become members of such organization and have a period of time between invitation for membership and being initiated into membership.  “Student organization with new members” does not include any varsity intercollegiate or club athletic team.