Policy 3.11: Anti-Hazing
Original Date of Issue: 4/17/19
Revised: 9/18/24
Policy
Hazing is inconsistent with Delaware County Community College values and policies in addition to a violation of Pennsylvania law. All student clubs, student organizations, and student athletic teams (hereafter referred to as organizations) and any individual members of these organizations are prohibited from engaging in any form of hazing with other members or potential members. Students and organizations shall be held accountable for violating this policy.
Definition
“Hazing” is defined as any intentional or unintentional action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule for the purpose of initiation, admission, affiliating or as a perceived condition of continued or enhanced membership or status in any student organization recognized by Delaware County Community College. Such activities and situations, with or without expressed or implied
consent of the victim, may include but are not limited to:
- Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves
- violation of the College Code of Conduct, or local, state or federal law.
- Any activity requiring the consumption of food, alcohol, liquid, drugs, or other
- substances, which subjects the student to a risk of emotional or physical harm.
- Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather,
- confinement in a restricted area, required calisthenics, exercise or other games
- requiring physical exertion, or other activity that subjects the student to a risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
- Any activity that intimidates or threatens a student with shunning, subjects a student to mental stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the students, or discourages the student from remaining in school.
- Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, or placing a harmful substance on the body.
- Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury or
- emotional distress to the student.
- Having knowledge of hazing but failing to stop or report it.
Hazing shall not include reasonable and customary training, contests, competitions, or events.
Sanctions listed below do not prevent and may be in addition to any legal or civil penalties stemming from the same incident or incidents.
Adjudication of Students
Organizations are subject to this policy and the same procedures, due process, and sanctions as outlined for students in the Student Code of Conduct.
Reporting Hazing Incidents
Individuals wishing to report an incident of hazing may make a report to either the Office of Student Conduct or the Office of Safety and Security. Contact information for the Office of Student Conduct and a form to Submit a Report can be found on the Office of Student Conduct page on the College’s website. Contact information for the Office of Safety and Security can be found on the Office of Safety and Security page on the College’s website.
Education
DCCC understands the importance of providing a safe community, free of hazing. To support this endeavor, DCCC will provide our students participating in student organizations a copy of this policy, including the institution’s rules and outcomes for violating this policy each Fall and Spring semester.
In accordance with state law, DCCC maintains a report of all violations of the institution’s antihazing policy or Federal or State laws related to hazing that are reported to the institution. This information is available on the College’s website.
