Anti-Hazing Policy
Anti-Hazing Policy
Berea College’s Anti-Hazing policy is a federally required policy that addresses hazing on Campus in relation to student groups and organizations. Campus groups are prohibited from engaging in hazing behavior, which is defined as an incident that could cause or create a reasonable risk of physical or psychological harm. This could include forcing someone to eat or drink, physically harming someone, sleep deprivation, and many other behaviors.
Hazing is defined under the Act and this policy as “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 such as a club or athletic team, and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE (Institution of Higher Education) or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.”
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has also enacted an anti-hazing law, known as Lofton’s Law, KRS Chapter 508. This law defines and prohibits hazing as a criminal act. Violations can be punished as either a Class D felony or Class A misdemeanor.
Reporting and Sanctions
Clubs, organizations, or athletic teams participating in hazing activity may be subject to dissolution and/or removal of recognized status as an official Berea College club or organization. Under the Act, Berea College is required to submit at least twice each year a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that is publicly available on the College’s website that identifies each violation of this policy that includes the name of the student organization or other activity involved, a general description of the violation, the date(s) on when the incident was alleged to occur, when the investigation began, when the investigation ended, and when the student organization was notified of the violation. This report will not include any personally identifiable information, including any information that would reveal personally identifiable information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
Individuals acting in violation of these federal and state laws prohibiting hazing may be subject to prosecution. In addition, violators of this policy may be subject to sanctions under the College’s Student Code of Conduct and Community Judicial Code or, for faculty or staff employees, relevant provisions of the Employee Handbook. Available sanctions for students may include suspension or expulsion or, in the case of employees, suspension or termination of employment.
Required Reporting of Hazing to Public Safety
All employees, students, and those affiliated with an official College club, organization or athletic program are required to report any incidents of violation of this policy to the Department of Public Safety.
Specific Actions identified by the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act
Acts prohibited by the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act include conduct that “causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation 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:
(1) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
(2) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
(3) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs or other substances;
(4) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
(5) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
(6) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of any applicable local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
(7) any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of any applicable local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.”
FAQ
To what groups does this policy apply? ALL Campus groups, including athletics, student organizations, and clubs.
Who has the responsibility to report violations of this policy? Everyone on Campus is responsible for reporting violations or suspected violations of this policy.
What could happen to a club or group found to be engaging in hazing activities? These groups could face dissolution and/or revocation of official recognized status.