Institutional Anti-Hazing Policy
June 20, 2025 2025-08-20 16:22Institutional Anti-Hazing Policy
Rocky Mountain College Hazing Policy
Effective Date: June 26, 2025
1. Policy Statement
Rocky Mountain College (“RMC” or “the College”) prohibits hazing in all forms. Hazing undermines our community values, threatens student safety, and will not be tolerated. This policy is established in compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (Public Law 118-173, amending 20 U.S.C. 1092), which mandates transparency, prevention education, and accountability regarding hazing on college campuses. This policy is implemented to promote student well- being, support a respectful campus culture, and ensure accountability.
2. Definition of Hazing
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student (including former and prospective students), whether individually or with others, against another person, regardless of their willingness to participate, that occurs in connection with initiation into, affiliation with, or membership maintenance in a student organization and causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation
Hazing may include (but is not limited to):
Intentional, Knowing, or Reckless:
The act must be done deliberately, with awareness of the potential harm, or with disregard for the consequences.
Against another person:
The act must be directed at someone else, not just a general activity.
Regardless of their willingness to participate:
The victim’s consent or lack thereof is irrelevant.
During initiation, affiliation, or membership:
Hazing must be part of the process of joining, becoming a member, or maintaining membership in a student organization.
Creates a risk of physical or psychological injury:
The act must pose a danger of harm to the victim, either physically or mentally.
3. Definition of Student Organization
A Student Organization is defined as any organization at an RMC [such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, band, or student government] in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the College, regardless of whether or not the organization is established or formally recognized by Rocky Mountain College.
4. Types of Hazing
Hazing takes many forms, ranging from physical abuse to psychological abuse or manipulation. Examples include but are not limited to causing, coercing, or forcing an individual (regardless of their willingness to participate) in the following activities:
Hazing may include (but is not limited to):
Physical Abuse:
Whipping, beating, striking, branding, shocking, sleep deprivation, confinement in a small space, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, exposure to extreme conditions, or similar activity which creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury
Forced Consumption:
Requiring or coercing individuals to ingest alcohol, drugs, excessive food or liquids, or other substances which subjects the individual to a risk of emotional or physical harm or renders them incapacitated.
Psychological Hazing:
Activities which cause or creates a risk or mental harm, including activities which could reasonably be expected to cause humiliation, forced silence, threats, degradation, social isolation, or intimidation.
Sexual Coercion:
Coercing individuals to perform sexual acts or endure brutality of a sexual nature.
Criminal Acts:
Encouraging theft, property destruction, underage drinking, or other illegal behavior.
Illegal Acts:
Encouraging or coercing an individual to participate in any activity which violates federal, state, or municipal law, or Rocky Mountain College policy or procedure.
5. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All students (including former and prospective students);
- All recognized and unrecognized student organizations, athletic teams, and groups; and
- Faculty, staff, and advisors who supervise or interact with student groups.
It applies to conduct that occurs on or off campus, including digital or virtual spaces. This policy applies whether or not the person subjected to hazing agreed to participate.
6. Prohibited Conduct
The following are violations of this policy:
- Planning, directing, encouraging, or participating in hazing
- Failing to report known or suspected hazing;
- Witnessing hazing without intervening or reporting (when safe and feasible); and
- Retaliating against any person who reports hazing or who in good faith participates in a hazing related investigation.
It applies to conduct that occurs on or off campus, including digital or virtual spaces. This policy applies whether or not the person subjected to hazing agreed to participate.
7. Reporting Hazing
Anyone may report hazing, including students, employees, parents, and community members. To the extent possible, the report should include a detailed description of the incident, names of individuals involved, and actions taken by the Student Organization. Reports may be made:
- Through the Rocky Mountain College Hazing Reporting Form (online);
- By email to the Dean of Students: deanosfstudents@rocky.edu
- In person at the Office of the Dean of Students: Bair Family Student Center
- By email to the Dean of Students: campussafety@rocky.edu
- In person at the Office of Campus Safety: Bair Family Student Center; and
- Anonymously via the campus tip line.
All reports will be taken seriously, and confidentiality will be protected to the extent possible during the investigation process. It should be noted that, should RMC determine that a hazing incident has occurred, the College may be legally required to disclose certain information about the incident and make that disclosure publicly available.
8. Investigation and Adjudication Process
The Dean of Students and/or the Director of Human Resources will review all hazing reports and determine the appropriate investigator, depending on the individuals involved. When reports involve potential violations of multiple policies (e.g., Title IX, Discrimination, civil rights), RMC will coordinate between the relevant offices to ensure appropriate and legally compliant handling of the case. Hazing investigations may be paused for, or proceed concurrently with, other investigations. Hazing investigations will, to the extent possible, be concluded within 90 days of the receipt of a report or complaint.
Depending on the alleged parties involved, the matter will be referred to an appropriate forum, such as the Student Conduct Panel for formal adjudication. The reviewing body will follow the College’s established conduct procedures, including due process protections for all parties involved.
Non-Title IX investigative steps may include:
- Contacting individuals accused of hazing and notifying relevant organizational leaders;
- Interviewing victims, witnesses, and any accused individual(s);
- Imposing interim measures if necessary;
- Requiring individuals or groups to participate in investigatory meetings;
- Limiting communication or use of electronic devices during the investigation; and
- With voluntary consent, requesting physical examinations if allegations include physical abuse (medical findings will be summarized for the investigator, in compliance with privacy laws).
Upon conclusion of an investigation, a written report will be submitted to the Dean of Students. If warranted, charges will be issued in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. A finding of responsibility will also be determined through the investigation process. Determinations of responsibility (e.g., individual vs. organizational) will consider:
- Number of members involved or aware of the violation;
- Knowledge and actions of officers/leaders/advisors;
- Whether members acted in concert or under organizational influence;
- Connection to an organizationally sponsored or endorsed event; and
- Presence of a pattern of past violations without organizational intervention.
Possible sanctions include, but are not limited to:
- Educational assignments or training;
- Disciplinary probation;
- Suspension or expulsion from the college; and
- Revocation of recognition for student organizations.
9. Education and Prevention
In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Rocky Mountain College will:
- Provide annual hazing awareness and prevention education to all students and student organization advisors, including a clear explanation of what constitutes hazing, applicable laws, the consequences of participation, and how to report hazing.
- Distribute this policy to all incoming students during orientation and annually.
- Require training for leaders of student organizations, athletic teams, and campusrecognized groups
- Provide regular educational programming to appropriate RMC employees regarding prevention and awareness of hazing.
10. Transparency and Annual Reporting
To promote accountability:
- Rocky Mountain College will publish a Campus Hazing and Transparency Report (“CHTR”) of substantiated hazing incidents, including date of the incident, Organization name, a description of the violation, and any outcomes. The CHTR will be posted to the College’s website and updated biannually (in July and January).
- This report will be posted on the College website and maintained in a publicly accessible database for at least five years.
- Beginning with the Annual Security Report (“ASR”) due October 2026, all reports of hazing will be included in the ASR for the previous three calendar years, consistent with federal law.
11. No Retaliation
Retaliation against any person who makes a good faith report of hazing or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
12. Policy Review and Updates
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Dean of Students in coordination with the Office of Campus Safety and Legal Counsel to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and evolving best practices in hazing prevention.
