Rule 3358:5-9-16 | Anti-hazing policy.
(A) Clark State College is committed to creating a safe, collegiate, working, and learning environment for all students, faculty and staff, and visitors. As a part of this commitment, Clark State College prohibits all forms of hazing as defined in this policy. The College will investigate and respond to all reports of hazing as outlined in this policy.
(1) Policy Statement
The College holds students accountable for their behavior both on and off-campus and addresses behavior that is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. This policy applies to conduct that occurs on or off-campus, between two or more people who are affiliated with the College, or any student or other organization associated with the College. This policy applies to Clark State College students, student clubs/organizations, student groups, and employees. This policy also applies to volunteers acting in an official capacity that advise or coach student clubs/organizations and/or student groups and who have direct contact with students. This policy is effective from matriculation to commencement, including breaks in the academic year and Clark State College has jurisdiction whether the conduct occurs on or off campus.
(2) Sanctions
Hazing is a serious offense of the Clark State College Student Code of Conduct and, therefore, is subject to the full range of sanctions (educational sanction, warning, probation, suspension, dismissal). In addition, other educational activities may be required as conditions of the sanction. An individual, organization, or group may be subject to other outcomes in accordance with the applicable outside constituents or group in which the student is involved, or their governing bodies. The College has the right to take action regardless of the actions of the governing body.
(3) Policy Enforcement
The Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services shall coordinate the investigation of all hazing allegations. When appropriate, other College offices may handle certain aspects of the College response, such as Human Resources. Additionally, the Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services will assess the need for interim measures (e.g. suspension of current group activities). Every effort will be taken to complete the investigation in a timely manner. The hazing allegation will be investigated and resolved in keeping with the Student Code of Conduct process. At the point when a formal conduct charge is made against an organization, the national or oversight organization, if any, shall be notified. Criminal investigations resulting from a report to law enforcement will be handled by the appropriate law enforcement agency. Clark State may charge an individual or a group with a violation of this Anti-Hazing Policy via the Student Code of Conduct and/or other College rules, regulations or policies.
Sanctions applied to organizations and/or individuals will be imposed in accordance with the severity of the violation and will be determined by the Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services.
(4) Definition of Hazing
Hazing means intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, for the purposes of initiating, admitting or affiliating a student into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing a student's membership or status in an organization, causing, coercing or forcing a student to do any of the following, regardless of whether such conduct occurs on or off campus:
Violate Federal or State criminal law.
Violate College policies, rules, regulations that are published in the student handbook or any other official College publications or agreements.
Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the student to a risk of emotional or physical harm.
Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements.
Endure brutality of a mental nature, including actively adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment.
Endure brutality of a sexual nature.
Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the student.
It shall not be a defense to a charge of hazing that the student consented to the conduct in question.
(5) Reporting
Reporting an Incident: Campus safety is a top priority and all reports of hazing are taken seriously to protect the health and well-being of our Clark State community. Individuals and/or student organizations should report incidents of hazing through the online Incident Report Form. Reports will be routed to the Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services. Clark State College depends on community members to identify and report behaviors of concern so that the College can provide distressed students and employees with appropriate support services and resources.
Clark State College is committed to reviewing all reports of hazing. Anonymous reports are accepted; however, the College's ability to obtain additional information may be compromised and the ability to investigate anonymous reports may be limited. In the event of immediate physical danger to a student or others, 911 must be called immediately.
Any questions concerning the interpretation or application of this policy should be referred to the Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services.
(6) Mandatory Reporting
In order to enable the College to respond effectively and to stop instances of hazing, all College employees must, within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the information, report information they have about reported or possible hazing to the Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services. Employees who are required by law to protect confidentiality are exempt from this requirement.
(7) College Reporting
The College will maintain a report of all violations of this policy that are reported to the College and which result in a violation of this policy. The College will update the report bi-annually on January 1 and August 1 of each year and will post the updated report on the College's website. If the violations rise to the level of Clery Act reporting, they will be included in the Annual Campus Safety Report published each October.
(8) College Training and Education
All students seeking membership in a registered student organization or student group at Clark State College must complete the anti-hazing training provided by the College. Failure to complete the training will result in the student being denied the ability to participate in any recognized student organization or group. If a student is unsure if they have completed the required program they should contact the Dean of Student Engagement and Support Services to verify their eligibility to join a student organization or group.
Last updated February 3, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 3358