Hazing Policies
Student Handbook Policy on Hazing
Section III.A.8 of the Code of Conduct: Hazing, including acts that endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroy or remove public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in, a group or organization. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not considered a neutral act; it is a violation of this policy. Tradition, intent, or the express or implied consent of the victim of such acts is not a valid defense.
Section III.A.9 of the Code of Conduct: Amnesty from Allegations and Protection from Retaliation When Reporting Hazing or Participating as a Witness in an Investigation:
In order to encourage reporting of hazing, the university will extend amnesty from student conduct allegations and sanctions to parties and witnesses for minor violations of the alcohol and drugs policies, such as underage consumption of alcohol, public intoxication, and possession or ingestion of illegal drugs for reporting parties, witnesses or respondents where such disclosures are made in connection with a good faith report or investigation of hazing or retaliation.
This provision does not apply to more serious allegations such as physical abuse of another or illicit drug or alcohol distribution that contributed to the commission of a policy violation. The university also considers retaliation to parties and witnesses to be a serious violation and will investigate and hold accountable students found to have retaliated against another student as a result of that student’s reporting of, or participation in an investigation of, hazing.
Student Organization Expectations on Hazing
Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities; wearing publicly, any apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts of buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games or activities; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with the regulations and policies of the College.
Hazing shall include, but not be limited to forcing, requiring, or expecting pledges, associate members, prospective members, or members of university organizations to participate in any of the following actions or activities:
- Paddling
- Kidnapping
- All forms of physical activity which are used to harass or which are not part of an organized athletic context and not specifically directed toward constructive work
- Road trips (involuntary excursions)
- Confinement in any room or compartment
- Spraying, painting, or pelting with any substance
- Burying in any substance
- Nudity at any time
- Requiring or compelling activities creating unnecessary work, duties, or detention, or any that do not allow adequate time for study
- Requiring or compelling exposure to uncomfortable elements
- Verbal harassment
- Requiring or compelling the wearing, in public, of apparel which is not in good taste
- Requiring or compelling the forced consumption of any liquid (including alcohol) or solid substance
- Depriving students of sufficient sleep (six consecutive hours per day is normally considered to be a minimum)
- Burning, branding, or tattooing any part of the body, or any other activity, whether voluntary or involuntary, which may cause physical injury or endanger the life of the person being hazed
- Psychological Hazing, which is defined as any act which is likely to: (a) compromise the dignity of a member or prospective member, (b) cause embarrassment or shame to a member or prospective member, prospective member to be the object of malicious, (c) cause a member or amusement or ridicule, or emotional strain (d) cause psychological harm or substantial emotional strain
- Misleading prospective members in an effort to convince them that they will not become members, that they will be hurt during induction / initiation, or any other activity that would cause extreme mental stress
- Carrying any item (shields, paddles, bricks, hammers, etc.) That serve no constructive purpose or that are designed to punish or embarrass the carrier
- Blindfolding and parading individuals in public areas, blindfolding and transporting in a motor vehicle, or privately conducting blindfolding activities that serve no constructive purpose
- Binding or restricting any person's arms or legs that would prohibit them from moving on their own
- Requiring or suggesting that members or prospective members obtain or possess (items for a scavenger hunt)
Organizations found to be in violation of this policy may face sanctions ranging from a warning to a loss of status as a recognized student organization. Individuals found to be in violation of this policy may face sanctions ranging from a warning to dismissal.
