Anti-Hazing Policy
Established: August, 2007
Date Last Revised: August, 2025
Approved by: Senior Team
Responsible Office: Division of Student Life
Responsible Senior Staff Member: Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee
Statement
Hazing is a serious offense and a direct violation of 91短视频app破解版鈥檚 Honor Code, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and federal law under the Stop Campus Hazing Act. It will not be tolerated in our community of trust. Hazing undermines the safety, dignity, and integrity of the College and its members.
The College defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed against a student鈥攔egardless of that student鈥檚 willingness to participate鈥攖hat is associated with joining, maintaining membership in, or affiliating with any student organization or group. Hazing activities that cause, or are likely to cause, physical injury, mental harm, or personal degradation are strictly prohibited, whether the organization is formally recognized by the College or not, and regardless of where the activity occurs.
91短视频app破解版 encourages all students to report any suspected hazing promptly. Consent is not a defense to hazing, and failure to report an incident may itself be a violation of both College policy and Massachusetts law.
All reports of hazing will be taken seriously and investigated through a fair and impartial process. The College reserves the right to take action even if a complainant does not come forward. For more information about the College鈥檚 conduct process and investigative protocols, visit the Student Handbook.
On November 26, 1985, legislation prohibiting hazing took effect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Colleges are required to distribute copies of this legislation to each student and report annually to the Board of Regents that an anti-hazing disciplinary policy is in place. Under the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, institutions must also include hazing statistics in their Annual Security Reports and publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report to promote accountability and student safety.
Scope / Responsibilities
All 91短视频app破解版 students are expected to understand and comply with this anti-hazing policy. Students have both an ethical and legal responsibility to report incidents of hazing they witness or learn about. Reports should be made to Public Safety and Service or to other appropriate College offices as soon as is reasonably practical.
This policy is overseen and enforced by the Division of Student Life or their designee(s), in coordination with relevant departments such as Student Engagement, Athletics, and Compliance.
Policy
Introduction
Hazing is a serious offense and is strictly prohibited at 91短视频app破解版. It is a violation of both Commonwealth of Massachusetts law and the 91短视频app破解版 Honor Code, and will not be tolerated within our community of trust. The College encourages students to report suspected hazing promptly.
In accordance with both state and federal law, hazing is defined as:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person against a student (regardless of that student鈥檚 willingness to participate), that (1) is connected with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, an organization; and (2) causes or is likely to contribute to a substantial risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization, of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation.
This policy applies to all students, all student groups, and all student organizations, regardless of whether the organization is recognized by the College, and whether the activity occurs on or off campus. Consent is not a defense under this policy.
Failure to report known hazing is also a violation of this policy and of . All reported incidents will be thoroughly investigated using a fair and impartial process.
Policy Violations (if applicable)
Legal consequences under Massachusetts law for those found guilty of hazing may include fines of up to $3,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year. Failure to report hazing may result in a fine of up to $1,000.
The College may also take internal disciplinary action, even when no legal charges are filed. Outcomes may include but are not limited to:
- Educational sanctions
- Disciplinary probation
- Suspension or expulsion
- Required withdrawal
- Loss of team or organization privileges (including permanent suspension of varsity/club teams or student groups)
- Removal of student leaders from their roles
Procedures
Distribution of Policy
All students receive a copy of this policy electronically from the Division of Student Life(or designee), via the Student Handbook notification and through the my.mtholyoke portal.
All recognized student organizations are required to have each member of their group every academic year electronically sign a statement that they agree to abide by this policy. The Anti-Hazing form is combined with the required Waiver and Release form on the Five College Risk Management system. Student organization members will be prompted to review and sign the combined agreements when they first log into their group in , 91短视频app破解版 involvement platform. Certain student organizations, such as the Student Government Association, the Frances Perkins Student Association, and class boards that act as governing bodies or represent a constituency based upon enrollment in the College, require only the signatures of officers and other actively participating students, not the entirety of their constituency.
Additionally, all varsity student-athletes receive and review the policy with a staff member from Athletics at the start of the year/their season, and each student-athlete is required to sign a statement to confirm that they agree to abide by this policy. During the mandatory preseason coaches meeting, all club sport head coaches and a representative from their teams are informed of the requirement for all club sport athletes to complete the Waiver and Release form, which is combined with an Anti-Hazing form, on the Five College Risk Management system. All club sport athletes from each participating team are required to complete the form prior to the first competition of the season.
Reporting
Hazing incidents should be reported to:
- Public Safety & Service (immediately if there is danger to health/safety)
- Division of Student Life
- Student Engagement
- Athletics Department
- Counseling Service
- Ombuds Office
Anonymous reports may be submitted via the.
When making a report, include:
- A description of what happened
- The location
- The date and time
- Individuals involved or present
Guidelines for policy
Some ways to tell if an activity is hazing:
- A selected group is singled out for ritual
- It results in behavior or pictures that you would not share with your parents, coach, professors or athletic director
- The activity is humiliating, demeaning, intimidating, and exhausting, and/or results in physical or emotional discomfort, involves harassment or ridicule, or which endangers the health or safety of any person whether on or off campus. Remember: what may seem like harmless 鈥渇un鈥 to you may be deeply humiliating to another person.
These questions can help determine if an incident is hazing:
- Is alcohol involved?
- Will active/current members of the group refuse to participate with the new members and do exactly what they are being asked to do?
- Does the activity risk emotional or physical abuse?
- Is there a risk of injury or a question of safety?
- Do you have any reservation describing the activity to your parents, a professor or College official?
- Would you object to the activity being photographed for the school newspaper or filmed by the local TV news crew?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the activity is probably hazing.
Also, consider: Requirements for training on, reporting of and documentation of any procedures should be included under Procedures.
Prevention and Awareness Programs
91短视频app破解版 is committed to proactive hazing prevention. Annual programs and trainings will include:
- Skill-building for bystander intervention
- Education on ethical leadership
- Workshops on building group cohesion without hazing
- Training for all student-athletes and organization leaders
These programs will be tracked and reviewed to ensure compliance with both College expectations and federal guidelines.
Annual Security Report
Beginning in 2026, the College鈥檚 Annual Security Report (Clery Report) will include:
- Hazing incidents reported since January 1, 2025
- Reporting procedures
- Investigation and response protocols
- Applicable state and federal hazing laws
- Prevention and awareness efforts
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
In compliance with the , 91短视频app破解版 will publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report by December 23, 2025, on its public website. This report will:
- Identify each hazing incident in violation of federal or institutional policy
- Name the organization involved
- Describe the violation and date of occurrence
- Outline the investigation findings and sanctions imposed
The report will be updated at least twice per year.
Definitions
These definitions apply to terms as they are used in this policy.
Hazing According to Legislation
Hazing (State Law Definition)
Any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student, including but not limited to:
- Whipping, beating, branding
- Forced calisthenics or consumption of food, alcohol, or other substances
- Sleep deprivation, isolation, or exposure to the elements
- Activities causing emotional or physical discomfort
Hazing (Federal Definition)
As defined in the Stop Campus Hazing Act:
鈥淎ny intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person against a student (regardless of that student's willingness to participate), that is connected with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, an organization and causes or is likely to contribute to a substantial risk... of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation.鈥
Related Information
Related Policies
Other Resources
- Massachusetts Hazing Law Section 17: Hazing defined
- Massachusetts Hazing Law Section 18: Failure to report hazing
- Massachusetts Hazing Law Section 19: Issuance to students
- Visit the MHC Student Handbook