Hazing Policy

_{Hazing is a violation of College policy and a criminal offense in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.}  

_{Dickinson College is committed to preserving the individual dignity and well-being of each and every member of the campus community, and supports students' desire to build community through groups and associations. These associations can offer powerful opportunities for student engagement and learning. The college also acknowledges the need for belonging that students often feel and values the contributions that student groups make toward fulfilling that need.}  

Within every group there exist organizational structures (e.g. hierarchies, practices) that define the relationships among its members. These structures can be: 

·         formal and/or informal
·         explicit and/or implied
·         planned and/or spontaneous 

Groups are encouraged to consider these structures and relationships, as understanding them is critical to positive group development and the prevention of hazing. Groups are cautioned that within any of those structures, any activity which serves to reinforce, or has the effect of reinforcing dominant-subordinate relationships among group members must be approached with great care and guidance. This is particularly true when a group affiliates new members. 

Definition
Dickinson College defines hazing as any act that, as an explicit or implied condition for initiation to, admission into, affiliation with, acceptance in, or continued membership in a group or organization, could be seen by a reasonable person as endangering the physical well-being of an individual, as causing mental distress to an individual, or as being disruptive to the campus community, regardless of the individual's willingness to participate. Such activities may include but are not limited to: the use of alcohol or other intoxicating substances; physical abuse in any form; sexual abuse or simulated sexual abuse; sexual harassment; the creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks or intimidation; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities; public wearing of apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which violate college policy. 

Hazing Outcomes 

The college recognizes a continuum of group development activities. At one end of the continuum are positive group development activities that do not constitute hazing because they stand the test of transparency, foster a sense of group unity and do not compromise the well-being of any individual participants. At the other end are behaviors that are clearly hazing because they are dangerous, abusive and/or disruptive, and involve only subordinate members of the group. In between are activities that could be seen by groups as benign, but are considered hazing because they serve no legitimate group-related purpose, could be considered disruptive to the academic community or when occurring in the context of individuals' personal history have the potential to cause physical, mental or emotional harm.   

In the event that the college must intervene in a situation involving hazing, the dean of students will determine the nature of the intervention by where along this continuum the behavior falls. The primary purpose of any intervention is to ensure that the hazing ends, and that those who participate in hazing are appropriately accountable to the Dickinson community. Toward that end, individuals associated with the group (e.g. organizational executives) may be held personally accountable along with the group. The college also reserves the right to engage other authorities as appropriate (e.g. law enforcement agencies, Greek national offices, etc.)   

Specifically, consequences for hazing for groups and/or individuals include but are not limited to: 
·         Warnings
·         Mandated educational programs for members &/or others
·         Community restitution
·         Student status and/or housing restrictions
·         Suspensions
·         Expulsion 

Students are also reminded that hazing is a violation of Pennsylvania law. The text of the law is available in the Dean of Students office and online.