Hazing

No student should ever be harmed or degraded while seeking membership or continued membership in any student organization at the University of Rochester (“URochester” or the “University”). When choosing to join an organization (of any kind), individuals should be treated with respect.

Definitions

Hazing: 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; and
2. 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—
   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 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 local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

Student Organization: (a) An organization at the University (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the University; or (b) Organizations whose membership, charter, and/or governance span across multiple distinct colleges/universities (e.g., multi-institutional charters, city-wide fraternity/sorority chapters) and that have (i) at least one member that is enrolled at the University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the University, or (ii) zero enrolled student members, but the organization is recognized by the University.

Psychological Injury: Psychological injury in the context of hazing refers to severe mental, emotional, and/or cognitive harm inflicted on individuals during initiation or affiliation rituals, that can result in long-term suffering or a decline in functioning. These injuries are “hidden harms” that go beyond physical damage, involving humiliation, degradation, and abuse that trigger profound emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Symptoms can vary widely across individuals, even those who experienced the same injury.

Physical Injury: Any act that causes, or creates a substantial risk of causing, impairment of physical condition, pain, or injury to an individual, often resulting from forced activities, abuse, or dangerous stunts. Such acts are typically performed during initiation, admission, or affiliation with an organization—such as a fraternity, sorority, or athletic team—and occur regardless of the victim’s willingness to participate.

Scope/Compliance

This policy applies to all URochester students and student organizations, as defined below.  The policy also applies to employees (including faculty and staff) at all URochester locations.

Compliance with this policy is required. Violations may result in disciplinary, corrective, or administrative action consistent with the University’s Code of Conduct and applicable policies, up to and including termination of employment, revocation of access or privileges, termination of agreements or relationships with the University, or other appropriate action.

Policy Details

It is the policy of the University that hazing, as defined by above, is strictly prohibited. This policy provides information regarding how to report incidents of hazing, the process used to investigate hazing, and information on applicable laws. It also provides an overview of hazing prevention and awareness programs at the University, as well as information about the University’s Campus Hazing Transparency Report.

I. Applicable New York State Laws

A. New York Penal Law § 120.16 (Hazing in the first degree). A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury. Hazing in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.

B. New York Penal Law § 120.17 (Hazing in the second degree). A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person. Hazing in the second degree is a violation.

Note that these are New York criminal statutes, which define hazing differently than how the University has defined hazing for purposes of this policy. At this time, the University is not aware of any Tribal or Local laws relating to hazing applicable to the University.

II. Reporting Incidents of Hazing

Anyone who becomes aware of hazing is encouraged to promptly report the incident as follows. Students who report hazing may also be covered under the University’s Medical Amnesty Policy, addressed in the Standards of Student Conduct, as appropriate.

How to Report Incidents of Hazing:

A. Any hazing incident involving an emergency or imminent threat to the health or safety of any person should be reported immediately to the University Department of Public Safety (“DPS”) or 911. If an individual suspects that any such incident constitutes a crime, they should also contact DPS or call 911 immediately. Contact information for DPS is: 612 Wilson Blvd, Rochester, NY 14627; (585) 275-3333.

B. Any incidents or potential acts of hazing that do not constitute an emergency may be reported to any of the following offices:

• Student Conduct
  510 Wilson Commons
  (585) 275-4085
  conflict.management@rochester.edu
• Student Activities
  201 Wilson Commons
  (585) 275-9390
  student.activities@rochester.edu
• Submit a CARE report, through the CARE reporting tool

Those impacted by hazing may choose to report incidents or details to law enforcement and/or the University, through the above reporting procedures.

III. Investigation

A. Criminal Investigations:
It is the policy of DPS to conduct vigorous and thorough investigations of all criminal offenses and/or violations of student conduct that are observed by or brought to the attention of DPS, in accordance with DPS policies. Each investigation will seek to determine if there are violations of University Policy and/or applicable criminal laws.

B. Student, Student Organization Investigations:
If, after an investigation, there are alleged conduct violations, Student Conduct will initiate the conduct process, as described in the Standards of Student Conduct. While an investigation or process is ongoing, an organization may face interim actions and other restrictions as appropriate and as detailed in the Standards of Student Conduct.

C. Employee Conduct Investigations:
Following every report of an alleged violation of this policy committed by an employee of the University, a thorough and prompt investigation appropriate to the nature of the report will be conducted by a person(s) with subject matter knowledge and oversight responsibility of the employee (e.g., Office of University Audit, HR, Compliance, etc.).  This process is outlined in the University of Rochester’s Code of Conduct.

IV. Prevention and Awareness Programs

The University of Rochester is dedicated to fostering a safe and respectful campus environment through proactive hazing prevention and education initiatives. As part of this commitment, all staff, faculty and students have access to educational programming designed to increase awareness, promote prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before hazing occurs, and empower individuals to recognize and respond to hazing behaviors.

Additionally, all incoming students are required to participate in an online hazing prevention class. This class provides an overview of hazing prevention, the requirements of the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, and practical bystander intervention strategies. Participants will learn to recognize hazing behaviors, understand the different categories of hazing and develop the skills and confidence to safely intervene when they witness hazing or other concerning behavior.

V. University’s Campus Hazing Transparency Report

The University will maintain a report of all findings of violations of the institution’s hazing policy for five (5) previous consecutive years related to hazing that are reported to the institution. The University will update the report biannually.