Memorandum # 164: Anti-Hazing Policy

Date Implemented:  May 7, 2019

Purpose of Policy

In compliance with the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, this policy sets forth Community College of Philadelphia’s strict prohibition against hazing.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to any hazing on or off campus by any College student or employee, College-sanctioned club, organization, group, or team (a “Sanctioned Organization”), or any individual associated with a Sanctioned Organization.

Prohibited Conduct

The College prohibits all forms of hazing prohibited by the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, including but not limited to:

1. Causing, coercing, or forcing a minor, student, or applicant to the College to do any of the following in connection with obtaining, continuing, or enhancing membership within a Sanctioned Organization:
   1. Violate federal or state criminal law;
   2. Consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug or other substance which subjects the minor, student, or applicant to a risk of emotional or physical harm;
   3. Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements;
   4. Endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting mental health or dignity, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;
   5. Endure brutality of a sexual nature (including sexual abuse or sexual acts); and/or
   6. Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of emotional, mental, or bodily injury to the minor, student, or applicant; and
2. When a Sanctioned Organization intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly promotes, facilitates, approves, or ignores hazing as defined above.

Hazing is prohibited regardless of whether the conduct results in any emotional, mental, or bodily injury or whether the individual has consented to the hazing activity. Hazing does not include reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement, or military training, contests, competitions, or events.

Reporting and Investigating Hazing Violations

Alleged violations of this policy should be reported to the Dean of Students or the Department of Public Safety. Allegations will be investigated by the Dean of Students and/or the Department of Public Safety.

Discipline for Hazing Violations

Individuals or Sanctioned Organizations who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary sanctions up to and including termination of an employee, expulsion of a student, or deactivation of a Sanctioned Organization in accordance with the disciplinary policies and procedures applicable to the alleged violator. Violations of this policy may also be referred to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and/or charges under the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. Discipline imposed in connection with violations of this policy shall be in addition to any civil or criminal sanctions that may be imposed separately by law enforcement authorities.

Bi-Annual Hazing Report

The College will publish a bi-annual report of all violations of this policy which are reported to the College. Effective January 15, 2019, the report will be made publicly available on the College’s Public Safety website by January 1 and August 1 of each year.