Anti-Hazing Policy

State Tech is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff. As a result, hazing is strictly prohibited in all forms.

Definition of Hazing

The definition of hazing is expansive. Federal law defines hazing as 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 that person’s willingness to participate that: (I) was committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, an organization and (II) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization of physical or psychological injury.

Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:
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; and
6. Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, tribal, or Federal law or induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal or Federal law.

An individual cannot consent to hazing. Even if an individual willingly participates in an act, the act may still constitute hazing under this policy.

Prohibited Activities

Hazing is prohibited in all forms, regardless of location. Hazing, whether committed on or off campus is prohibited. In addition, promoting, encouraging, enabling, or failing to report hazing is prohibited. This policy applies to:

1. Students (whether individually or in groups);
2. Student organizations, clubs, teams, or groups, regardless of whether the organization, club, team or group is recognized by State Tech. For purposes of federal law, any group of two or more students could be deemed a student organization or group; and
3. Faculty, staff and administrators.

Reporting Hazing

State Tech encourages all students, faculty and staff to report any incidents of hazing or suspected hazing. Reports can be made confidentially through Ready to Report form. Anyone, staff member or faculty member, receiving a report of hazing must immediately report it through Ready to Report form.

It is a violation of this policy to retaliate or take adverse action towards any person for reporting an alleged violation of this policy or for cooperating with State Tech’s investigation related to this policy. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, verbal or implied threats, physical or psychological abuse, intimidation, harassment, isolation, or any other action intended to create a hostile environment for the intended target of the retaliation.

Investigating Hazing

All reports of Hazing will be immediately investigated by State Tech. Where appropriate, such investigations may be conducted by Office of Student Affairs or Office of Human Resources. Hazing investigations will typically include interviews with the reporting party, interviews with the alleged perpetrators, and interviews with the victim(s) and any witnesses. The investigator will compile a written report of his/her findings which will be submitted to Office of Student Affairs or Office of Human Resources.

If the alleged perpetrator is a student, upon a finding by the investigator that a violation of this policy may have occurred, the matter will be referred for proceedings under the Student Conduct Code.

If the alleged perpetrator is an employee, the findings will be forwarded to the employee’s supervisor(s) and to Human Resources for further determinations pursuant to State Tech rules and regulations.

Consequences for Hazing

Punishment for students violating this policy will be administered under the Student Code of Conduct, and may include discipline up to, and including, removal from State Tech.

Organizations or groups violating this policy may lose recognition by State Tech.

Employees violating this policy will receive discipline up to, and including, termination.

Hazing Resources and Reports

State Tech is committed to preventing hazing in all its forms. In that regard, State Tech has taken the following steps to prevent Hazing:

• Employees will be trained annually during their required professional development day.
• Students will be trained annually during their Student Awareness Activities.

Resources for preventing hazing will be posted on State Tech’s website.

In addition, State Tech compiles reports and statistics on Hazing incidents occurring on campus. Pursuant to federal law, those reports are updated on a semi-annual basis. These reports will be posted on State Tech’s website.

LINE OF AUTHORITY
Responsible administrator or office: Student Affairs and Human Resources
Contact person in that office: Joshua Carcopa and Amy Ames
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 2025
Approved by President: June 20, 2025