Hazing

The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to report hazing incidents. It also renames the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.

Specifically, the Act requires each IHE to disclose hazing incidents that were reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies in its Annual Security Report.

The Act defines hazing as 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:

1. Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and
2. Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.

Additionally, each IHE must include in its Annual Security Report:

1. A statement of current policies relating to hazing, how to report hazing incidents, the process used to investigate hazing incidents, and information on applicable laws on hazing; and
2. A statement of policy regarding prevention and awareness programs relating to hazing that includes a description of prevention programs.

Further, an IHE must develop a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of the IHE’s standards of conduct relating to hazing. An IHE is not required to develop or update this report unless the IHE has a finding of a hazing violation.

This Act does not apply to foreign institutions of higher education.

14-35. Hazing; Definition and Punishment

It is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense.

For the purposes of this section, hazing is defined as subjecting another student to physical injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group.

Any violation of this section shall constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor.

14-38. Witnesses in Hazing Trials

In all trials for the offense of hazing, any student or other person subpoenaed as a witness on behalf of the State shall be required to testify if called upon to do so.

However, no student or other person so testifying shall be amenable or subject to indictment on account of, or by reason of, such testimony.

Chowan University defines hazing in accordance with North Carolina law and takes every measure to eliminate hazing on and off campus.

The University may impose sanctions up to and including expulsion of fraternities and sororities, as well as individual members, if they are found responsible for hazing.

The University will pursue swift University disciplinary action and may seek civil and criminal prosecution against any organization or individual found guilty of hazing.

Penalties may also apply to persons who observe hazing but do not report it to appropriate University officials.

Hazing is prohibited in all activities both on and off campus, including privately owned facilities and property.

Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off Chowan University property, by fraternities or sororities, student clubs or organizations, athletic teams, individual students, student groups, Chowan employees, third-party vendors, or non-employee club advisors, that produces mental or physical discomfort, endangers life, or causes embarrassment, harassment, intimidation, or ridicule.

Willingness to engage in any hazing activity does not render this Anti-Hazing Policy unenforceable.

All hazing is prohibited at Chowan University. Hazing may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Physical Hazing

• Striking, beating, bruising, or threats of physical violence
• Whipping, restraints, paddling, or other physical abuse
• Branding, piercing, or tattooing
• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
• Excessive calisthenics or physical activity
• Placement of undesirable substances on or in the body
• Deprivation of food or water
• Kidnapping or abandonment
• Unreasonable exposure to weather

Mental or Emotional Hazing

• Scaring, shocking, or frightening
• Berating, yelling, or threatening
• Sleep deprivation or unnecessary fatigue
• Meaningless tests or quizzes
• Distressing environmental conditions
• Social isolation (including online)
• Forced shaving of hair

Degrading or Disruptive Conduct

• Humiliation, degradation, or demeaning treatment
• Conspicuous or inappropriate clothing requirements
• Lewd conduct, nudity, or subservient behavior
• Academic interference
• Excessive time commitments
• Restriction of normal freedoms or privileges
• Prohibition of vehicles, meal plans, hygiene practices, or communication
• Personal servitude or unequal task assignments
• Carrying items for no constructive purpose

Sexual Hazing

• Forced or unwanted sexual acts
• Simulated sexual acts
• Sexual abuse of others
• Forced exposure or public nudity
• Creation or distribution of explicit materials

Illegal or Policy-Violating Conduct

• Pressuring or requiring individuals to violate laws or University policies

Chowan University provides research-informed educational opportunities to prevent hazing, including mandatory training for incoming students, faculty and staff training, policy distribution, educational web resources, and campus-wide communication.

Annual programming occurs during National Hazing Prevention Week.

Prompt reporting enables Residence Life, Student Life and/or Human Resources to respond efficiently and effectively to safety threats and to facilitate appropriate supportive measures for those impacted by hazing. Accordingly, members of the University community should immediately report incidents of potential hazing to Residence Life, Student Life and/or Human Resources. If hazing involves imminent danger, serious harm or illegal activity, please contact local law enforcement immediately (911).

All members of the Chowan community (faculty, staff, students, or its vendors) are mandated to share any and all reports of hazing.

If hazing involves imminent danger, serious harm or illegal activity, please contact local law enforcement immediately (911).

Public Safety (252) 398-1234o

Student Life (252) 398-6338

Residence Life (252) 398-6237

Human Resources (252) 398-6222

hazing@chowan.edu

https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.phpChowanUniv&layout_id=6.

Individual Self-Reporting: Individuals who are victims of hazing, or are aware of hazing, and who truthfully report the activities shall not be individually charged with a violation of this university policy.

Retaliation in any manner against an individual who reports hazing, an individual who was hazed, or an individual who participates in a hazing investigation is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and will be addressed through the Student Conduct process.

Making an intentionally false accusation of hazing is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and will also be addressed through the Student Conduct process.

Organization Self-Reporting: In a situation where the leadership of an organization learns of hazing in their group, they have a duty to report and are required to report the behavior to Student Conduct immediately.

The organization must disclose any actions taken by the organization to address the behavior. Such actions are taken into consideration by the appropriate decision-making body when determining what, if any, sanction(s) should apply.

Chowan University prohibits retaliation directed against a person for reporting violations of law or Chowan University policy or for participating in an investigation or related conduct proceeding.

When a member of our community is found responsible for hazing violations, appropriate disciplinary action will follow. Possible sanctions for students found responsible for hazing include disciplinary probation, suspension, removal from university housing, and expulsion. Possible sanctions for student groups or organizations found responsible for hazing include group or organization disciplinary probation, restriction of privileges, and revocation of recognition. The University may also implement interim measures for students and student organizations if they pose a risk to the physical health or safety of the Chowan University community before a conduct process begins or is completed. These interim measures may include interim suspension. The University may also report the incident to law enforcement, and the persons involved in hazing could face criminal charges.

Chowan University Residence Life and Student Life, in conjunction with Human Resources (when faculty or staff are involved), is responsible for the prompt, fair, and impartial investigation of hazing allegations. The University’s ability to address the allegations may be impacted by the information available and the willingness of witnesses to participate in the investigation and hearing process.

Sanctions

All sanction outcomes will be influenced by the severity of the hazing incident, prior disciplinary history (related to hazing or similar incidents), university policy and state laws, and the impact on victims.

Faculty/Staff

Faculty or staff found responsible for hazing violations may include, but are not limited to, the following sanctions: mandatory education or counseling, restitution, suspension with or without pay, termination of employment, and referral to law enforcement.

Students

Students found responsible for hazing violations may include, but are not limited to, the following sanctions: disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion, educational programs, restitution, mandatory counseling or treatment, loss of privileges, and referral to law enforcement.

Organizational Sanctions

Organizations found responsible for hazing violations may include, but are not limited to, the following sanctions: organization disciplinary probation, restriction of privileges, revocation of recognition, suspension of charter, loss of funding or space, and disqualification from activities.

The Chowan University community encourages the reporting of hazing by complainants and/or witnesses. Sometimes, complainants and/or witnesses are hesitant to report to Chowan University officials or participate in grievance processes because they fear that they themselves may be in violation of certain policies, such as underage drinking or use of illicit drugs at the time of the incident.

It is in the best interests of the Chowan University community that complainants and/or witnesses choose to report hazing to Chowan University officials, that witnesses come forward to share what they know, and that all parties be forthcoming during the process.

To encourage reporting and participation in the process, Chowan University maintains a policy of offering complainants and witnesses amnesty from minor policy violations—such as underage consumption of alcohol or the use of illicit drugs—related to the incident.

Amnesty does not apply to more serious allegations such as physical abuse of another or illicit drug distribution. The decision not to offer amnesty is based on the fact that collateral misconduct is typically addressed for all students within a progressive discipline system, and the rationale for amnesty—the incentive to report serious misconduct—is rarely applicable to Respondent(s) with respect to a Complainant.

Amnesty for Students

Sometimes, students are hesitant to assist others for fear that they may get in trouble themselves. For example, an underage student who has been drinking or using marijuana might hesitate to help take an individual who has experienced sexual assault to Public Safety.

Chowan University maintains a policy of amnesty for students who offer help to others in need. Although policy violations cannot be overlooked, the University may provide purely educational options with no official disciplinary finding, rather than punitive sanctions, to those who offer their assistance to others in need.

Annual Security Report and Campus Hazing Transparency Reports

Chowan University will provide transparent reporting of hazing incidents on campus. Hazing Policy and incidents reported to the university will be reported annually in the Annual Security Report and First Statistics by October 1 of each year. Chowan University also compiles and publicly publishes a Campus Hazing Transparency Report twice annually at the link below.

CAMPUS HAZING AND TRANSPARENCY REPORT

Learn more about hazing.

Hazing Prevention Network hazingpreventionnetwork.org

Stop Hazing stophazing.org

Hazing Info hazinginfo.org

Anti-Hazing Coalition antihazingcoalition.org