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Anti-Hazing Policy

Title: Anti-Hazing Policy
Approved by: Office of the President
Effective date: July 5, 2022
Responsible Official: Vice President for Student Affairs
Responsible University Offices: Office of Student Affairs, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Office of Greek Life, Office of Student Activities and Leadership, Department of Athletics, First-Year Experience and Family Programs, Wellness and Health Promotion, Public Safety.
Related legislation and university policies: University Code of Conduct for students, Proscribed Conduct, Item 5; Ohio Senate Bill 126, also known as Collin's Law: Ohio's Anti-Hazing Act, effective on October 7, 2021.
Review Period: 5 Years
Relates to: Students, Staff, Faculty, Consultants, Advisors, Alumni, and Volunteers

I. Summary

Hazing is adverse to the culture, mission, and values of Case Western Reserve University. The university prohibits hazing, and the support thereof, by all persons as defined in this policy and applicable laws and investigates and responds to all reports of hazing. Students, student organizations, and other student groups, including other individuals associated with those organizations, are prohibited from hazing and failing to report hazing. Advisors acting in an official and professional capacity, or persons acting in an advisory role, are prohibited from permitting hazing and are required to timely report knowledge or suspicion of hazing activity.

II. Purpose(s) of this Policy

The purposes of this policy are to 1) prevent incidents of hazing within the university community through information, education, and reporting processes, 2) stop hazing processes that might be in progress, 3) hold individuals and student organizations accountable through appropriate conduct processes and reporting to law enforcement should hazing occur, and 4) keep records and share appropriate information about past incidents of hazing with the university community and the public.

III. Definitions

  1. Hazing is defined as an act which endangers the health or safety of a student, or causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse as defined in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code, or an act which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission, reinstatement, affiliation, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are a violation of this policy. Also refer to Ohio Senate Bill 126.
  2. Persona non grata: A ban from entry to specified areas of University premises, including the entire campus if directed, for a specified or permanent period of time.
  3. Student organization or student group: Any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for University recognition or that would otherwise be considered a student organization or student group. This includes, but is not limited to, recognized student organizations, Greek life chapters, athletic teams, and performance groups.
  4. Advisor: An advisor to a student organization may include an administrator, employee, faculty member, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer, acting in an official/professional or unofficial capacity.

IV. Responsibility for Management

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is responsible for accepting information about, investigating, reporting, and adjudicating, as necessary, any reports or incidents of hazing. Education and training processes for university community members on the topic of hazing prevention is jointly the responsibility of the Office of First-Year Experience and Family Programs, Wellness and Health Promotion, Student Activities and Leadership, Athletics, and Greek Life.

V. Applicability

This policy applies to hazing that takes place between two or more people affiliated with the university, whether it occurs on university property or off-campus. It also applies whether hazing occurs at a sanctioned or non-sanctioned event.

This policy applies to the following persons:

  1. Students enrolled at the University involved with student organizations;
  2. Other individuals associated with an organization, including volunteers and advisors of the organization;
  3. Staff;
  4. Faculty;
  5. Consultants;
  6. Alumni.

VI. Sanctions

The University is committed to holding violators of this policy fully accountable. Hazing is a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Persons found responsible are subject to appropriate disciplinary action that may include suspension, expulsion, termination of employment, degree/admission revocation, and bans from campus and campus activities.

  1. Students or student organizations found responsible for violations of this policy are subject to the Student Conduct of Code Procedures and full range of sanctions available up to and including disciplinary separation or suspension, expulsion, revocation of degree or admission, and any other appropriate sanction. Student organizations may lose university recognition.
  2. Employees of the university who are found to be in violation of this policy are subject to conduct review and potential disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment in accordance with their employment circumstances.
  3. Non-employees found to be in violation of this policy may be removed from their role(s) in connection with the student organization at issue and made persona non grata within the campus community.
  4. Violations of this policy are subject to referral to appropriate law enforcement agencies as well as internationally or nationally-affiliated offices of student organizations, for action and adjudication. Any penalties for violations of federal, state, and/or local law are determined in addition to university action. Violations of Ohio's anti-hazing law may result in misdemeanor violations, and, in some cases, a felony of the third degree.

VII. Distribution and Public Access

To ensure access to this policy, the university provides a link to this policy to each student organization recognized by the university and is included in New Student Orientation programs for students, including orientations for new students in each school and college. Additionally, the University links the policy on university websites relating to students and where it likely will be seen by individuals who must obey the policy.

VIII. Anti-Hazing Training

The university is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the university community and providing hazing prevention training. New student orientation offers at least one opportunity to complete anti-hazing training. An online anti-hazing module is available to students and student organization advisors and volunteers.

To become eligible to participate in student organizations, students must complete an anti-hazing training module provided by the university prior to participating in any student organization or student group. Students who fail to complete an anti-hazing training module will be prohibited from participating in an organization until they have completed the program.

All faculty, staff, and volunteers who advise or coach a student organization and who have direct contact with students must complete a mandatory anti-hazing training module provided by the university.

Individuals who are unsure whether they completed the online-module may check their record by emailing studentwellness@case.edu.

Additionally, the university requires student organizations to provide or conduct a mandatory anti-hazing training for advisors, volunteers, and consultants who have contact with students.

IX. Reporting Incidents of Hazing

University employees, faculty members, instructors/professors, consultants, alumni, and volunteers of any organization ("Mandated Reporters") are required to report knowledge or suspicion of hazing. However, the university encourages all members and guests of the university community to report knowledge or suspicion of hazing. Each report to the university is investigated. Anonymous reports and reports with limited information are welcome, however, investigational ability is greatly aided by complete and specific information and the ability of the investigator to follow-up on reports to ask additional questions. Response staff will assist in channeling information about hazing taking place in other colleges or universities to the appropriate authorities to respond in other communities.

To report information about hazing activity or potential hazing activity, reporters may use any of the following means: The Community Concerns Reporting System (CCRS) online or by phone, email, or Zoom (Find instructions and contact information); Notify a staff member in any one of the following offices, especially equipped to help you to report, including the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Office of the Dean of Students, or Public Safety; Integrity Hotline; or law enforcement agencies, such as the university's Police Department, University Circle Police Department, the Cleveland Division of Police, or law enforcement officials in any other relevant jurisdiction. In the case of imminent danger or an emergency, contact emergency response on-campus at (216) 368-3333, or off-campus by calling 911.

For questions about what activities may be considered hazing, please contact any of the following offices: the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Office of Greek Life, Office of Student Activities and Leadership, or the Department of Athletics.

X. Record Retention of Incidents of Hazing

The university maintains records of hazing activities in a report made available to the public. Beginning no later than January 15, 2023, a report will be made available to the public on the Public Safety website and updated by January 1 and August 1.

Disclosure about hazing and other crimes required by the Campus Security Act will be available by annual report, crime log, and regular security alerts, and can be viewed at the Public Safety website.

National Hazing Resources

The Gordie Center - The mission of the Gordie Center is to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide.

HazingPrevention.Org - HazingPrevention.Org is a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing. Our goal is to educate people about the dangers of hazing, advocate for change, and engage the community in strategies to prevent hazing.

Inside Hazing - The mission of Inside Hazing is to provide methods of prevention and intervention in hazing; to explain the psychology of hazing in high school, college, the military, and the workplace.

StopHazing - StopHazing's mission is to promote safe and inclusive school, campus, and organizational environments through research, resource sharing, and the development of data-driven strategies for hazing prevention and the promotion of positive group climates.

Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform - The Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform establishes new insights into understanding the complex issues facing fraternity and sorority life and empowers higher education to help create a fraternity and sorority experience that is safer and more meaningful. The center produces actionable data to give practitioners, campuses, and headquarters the evidence needed to enact significant change on their campuses for the over 750,000 members across more than 770 campuses with fraternity and sorority life.

Last Updated: January 13, 2023