Anti-Hazing Policy

Download as PDF

Anti-Hazing Policy

The College strives to promote a safe environment in which members of our learning community may participate in experiences and activities without compromising their health, wellbeing, dignity, and/or rights. Hazing can cause irreparable harm to victims, victims’ families, and the college community. Hazing is a violation of Policy and antithetical to the ideals and values of our learning community related to belonging and personal growth. Prevention of hazing is the responsibility of every member of the College community.

 

Definition

(1) Hazing means doing any of the following, or pressuring, causing, forcing, soliciting, or coercing any person to do any of the following, for the purpose of initiating, admitting, or affiliating an individual into or with a student group or student organization; continuing, reinstating, or enhancing an individual’s membership or status in a student group or student organization; or perpetuating or furthering a tradition or ritual of a student group or student organization:

  • Engage in any conduct prohibited by federal, state and/or local law, regardless of whether an arrest is made, or criminal charges are brought1;
  • Take into their body any food, liquid (including alcohol), drug, or other substance that subjects the person to a substantial risk of mental or physical harm; and /or
  • Cause or create a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to another and/or engage in any act or omission that contributes to the death of another.

 

Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors are Prohibited Conduct and constitute a violation of this Policy:

  1.  Purposefully, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently hazing any person.
  2. Involvement in the planning of hazing and/or being present during hazing.
  3. Failing to intervene to prevent or stop hazing if the individual has knowledge of a planned hazing activity.
  4. Failing to assist or seek assistance if the individual knows or reasonably should know that another is in danger from effects of hazing.
  5. Knowingly making a false accusation of hazing.
  6.  Failing to report any information about past, current, or planned Prohibited Conduct if required to do so in this Policy.
  7. Retaliating against or taking adverse action toward any reporting party and/or person participating in a hazing investigation or disciplinary proceeding.

 

Procedures for College Response

The College encourages all alleged acts of hazing to be reported promptly to College officials and/or law enforcement.

The College will determine if interim measures are needed to protect the safety and/or well-being of others. Imposition of interim measures is outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

The College will initiate an investigation into all reports of hazing involving students, student groups, and student organizations in accordance with this Policy and the Student Code of Conduct.

Based on the information gathered during the investigation, adjudication of alleged violations of this Policy will be in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Violations of this policy by students and/or student organizations will be sanctioned in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Students, faculty or staff who report allegations of hazing against faculty or staff member should seek recourse through Human Resources.

 

Hazing Prevention

Ringling College has comprehensive education and awareness programs for students and employees on hazing awareness and prevention, and how to report a concern. Hazing prevention education is required for all incoming students to complete during their orientation. Student organization executive board members receive annual prevention training, and additional hazing prevention workshops are available upon request throughout the academic year.

 

Reporting and Transparency

The Office of Student Life will maintain on the College website information concerning findings of hazing misconduct by students, student organizations and student groups for the previous five (5) academic years. This will include a brief description of the alleged misconduct, the outcome/finding concerning the alleged misconduct, and any corrective action or discipline taken.

________________________________________________________________________________________

1 Hazing is prohibited under Florida Statutes Section 1006.63, and is a criminal offense. A person who commits hazing can be charged criminally with a first-degree misdemeanor or a third-degree felony.