Memorandum # 164: Anti-Hazing Policy

Date Implemented:  May 7, 2019

Purpose of Policy

In compliance with Pennsylvania's Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (together, the "Anti-Hazing Laws"), this Policy sets forth Community College of Philadelphia's strict prohibition against hazing.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to any hazing on or off campus by any College student, employee, Student Organization, as defined below, and any other person associated with a Student Organization.

Prohibited Conduct

The College prohibits all forms of hazing, including those prohibited by the Anti-Hazing Laws. For the purposes of this Policy, “hazing,” as defined by the Anti-Hazing Laws, means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:

• is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—
  • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
  • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
  • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

For purposes of this Policy, a “Student Organization” is an organization at the College (such as, but not limited to, a club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the College, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the College.

It is a violation of this Policy to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly promote, facilitate, approve, or ignore hazing as defined above, or to in any way retaliate against anyone for reporting incidents of hazing.

Hazing is prohibited regardless of whether the conduct results in any emotional, mental, or bodily injury or whether the individual has consented to the hazing activity. Hazing does not include reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement, or military training, contests, competitions, or events.

Reporting and Investigating Hazing Violations

Alleged violations of this policy should be reported to the Dean of Students and/or the Department of Public Safety. Allegations will be investigated by the Dean of Students and/or the Department of Public Safety in accordance with College polices.

Discipline for Hazing Violations

Individuals or Student Organizations who violate this Policy may be subject to disciplinary sanctions up to and including termination of an employee, expulsion of a student, or deactivation of a Student Organization in accordance with the disciplinary policies and procedures applicable to the alleged violator. Violations of this Policy may also be referred to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and/or charges under the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Discipline imposed in connection with violations of this Policy shall be in addition to any civil or criminal sanctions that may be imposed separately by law enforcement authorities.

Bi-Annual Hazing Report

The College will publish a bi-annual Campus Hazing Transparency Report of all violations of this policy which are reported to the College. The report will be made publicly available on the College’s Public Safety website by January 1 and August 1 of each year.

Prevention and Awareness Programs

The College will provide training to students, staff, and faculty on hazing prevention and awareness, as well as training concerning this Policy, at least once each academic year. Special emphasis will be made for the training of Student Organization leaders, Student Life Center personnel, faculty advisors, athletics staff, and Campus Security Authorities. The training will be based on research-informed prevention programs on the recognition and prevention of hazing.