Hazing Policy Statements
Harper College prohibits students, employees, officers, contractors, and volunteers
from engaging, or attempting to engage in Hazing. The College defines Hazing as:
1. 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
the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that—
• is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance
of membership in, a student organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of
participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as
the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical
or psychological injury including –
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;
6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local,
State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
7. any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty
or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
For purposes of this definition, the College considers the following behaviors to
constitute Hazing under this definition, as they inherently cause or create a risk
of physical or psychological injury: mental, physical or emotional discomfort; servitude;
degradation, embarrassment; harassment; or ridicule for the purpose of initiation
into, affiliation with, or admission to, or as a condition for continued membership
in a group, team, or other organization, regardless of an individual’s willingness
to participate.
Harper College has set forth some examples of hazing. They include, but are certainly
not limited to, the following:
• alcohol use or other substances
• strenuous physical activity
• paddling or any type of physical abuse
• excessive fatigue, sleep deprivation, or interference with scholastic activities
• scavenger hunts
• road trips
• conspicuous apparel, humiliating activities such as verbal abuse, threats, and name
calling
• servitude or placing another in a position of servitude and
• removing, stealing, taking, or damaging public or private property
2. Hazing also involves any other activity not addressed by (1) of this definition
that is expected of someone joining or participating in a student organization that
humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of a person’s willingness
to participate.
For purposes of the College’s Hazing policy, the phrase “student organization” means
“an organization at Harper College (such as a club, society, association, varsity
or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or
student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the
College.” While student organizations that are not recognized or established by the
College are not subject to the College’s disciplinary jurisdiction, individuals who
engage in violations of the standards of conduct outlined in the College’s Hazing
policy will be held accountable regardless of whether the student organization in
which the Hazing activities occurred is recognized or established by the institution.
Any student organization recognized or established by the College that is found to
be responsible for violating the College’s Hazing policy will be recorded in the Campus
Hazing Transparency Report. However, all reports of hazing involving student organizations
that occur in the College’s Clery Geography will be included in the crime statistics
regardless of whether the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
The College reserves the right to hold a sub-group of an organization accountable
for Hazing policy violations, rather than the entire student organization, when circumstances
reasonably indicate a sub-group, not the entire student organization, committed a
Hazing policy violation. For example, affinity groups or position groups within an
athletic team that meet the definition of student organization may be held accountable
for Hazing in lieu of the entire athletic team.
While each report will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the College generally
considers the following non-exhaustive criteria when determining whether conduct might
reasonably be associated with a student organization.
How to Report Hazing
Any individual who experiences or witnesses Hazing is strongly encouraged to report
the incident immediately. Any incident involving an in-progress crime or emergency
should be reported immediately to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction
by dialing 911.
Reports can be made in person, by phone, or by email using the contact information
below. All allegations of Hazing should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator
Process Used to Investigate Hazing Reports
Upon receipt of a report alleging Hazing, the Title IX Coordinator, or designee, will
review the report and determine if the alleged behavior, as described in the report,
would constitute Hazing as defined by the College. The Title IX Coordinator, or designee,
will also determine which College official(s) or office(s) have jurisdiction over
the respondent(s). As it relates to the College’s Hazing policy, the term “respondent”
refers to a student, a recognized or registered student organization, or an employee
who is alleged to have engaged in Hazing.
The Title IX Coordinator, or designee, is empowered to take reasonable steps to obtain
additional information that may be necessary to determine if a policy violation has
been alleged or to determine if an investigation is warranted. The Title IX Coordinator
may consult with applicable College officials when determining which individual(s)
or office(s) have jurisdiction over the respondent(s). When determining jurisdiction,
the Title IX Coordinator, or designee, will consider:
• the nature of the alleged conduct,
• the circumstances of the report, and
• whether the respondent is a person or student organization subject to the College’s
conduct standards.
These factors will also inform whether the procedures outlined in the CODE OF STUDENT
CONDUCT will be utilized to resolve the alleged misconduct. Allegations of Hazing
involving a student or a student organization that is officially recognized by, or
registered with, the College will be resolved using the procedures outlined in the
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT. Allegations involving other respondents will be resolved
using the policies and procedures applicable to the respondent’s status.
Interim Action
In response to the report, the Title IX Coordinator, or designee, may impose an interim
administrative action on a respondent prior to the resolution when a threat of imminent
harm to persons or property exists, and/or there is potential for significant disruption
to the community that exists during the course of investigation. If the respondent
is an employee, the applicable College official(s) may impose interim administrative
action consistent with the policies and procedures applicable to the employee.
Interim action is not a sanction. It is taken in an effort to protect the safety and
well-being of individuals and the College community. Interim administrative action
is preliminary in nature; it is in effect only until there is a resolution of the
matter. The respondent may challenge the interim action in writing to the next level
of conduct authority within five (5) days of the imposition of the interim action.
The interim action will be in effect during the challenge.
Investigation
If an investigation is warranted, the Title IX Coordinator, or designee, shall appoint
one or more investigators to conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation.
External investigators may be appointed at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator.
Reports of alleged Hazing that also allege violations of the College’s sexual misconduct
policy will be coordinated between the Title IX Coordinator, or designee), and Title
IX Coordinator to determine the appropriate investigation and/or resolution procedures.
The respondent (typically the president for a registered/recognized student organization,
or its equivalent for an established organization) will be sent a written notice of
the allegations by way of their college supplied e-mail account. If the student organization
has a national or oversight entity, that entity may be apprised of the College’s investigation
at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator. The national or oversight entity cannot
speak on behalf of or represent the student organization.
Reasonable efforts will be made to complete the investigation in a timely manner.
Typically, the College will aim to complete an investigation into allegations of Hazing
within sixty business days of providing written notice of the investigation to the
respondent, though investigations may extend beyond sixty business days as circumstances
require.
During the investigation, the respondent will be provided with an opportunity to:
provide information through an in-person or virtual interview, submit a written account,
provide the names of incident witnesses for possible interviews with the investigator(s),
provide witness statements, and provide any documentation that may be relevant to
the facts of the allegations. However, the investigator(s) may consider information
from any sources the investigator(s) deem relevant and credible. The investigator(s)
will make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant supporting documentation related to
the allegations from other College official(s) or available resources.
Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator(s) will prepare an investigation
report. The investigation report will summarize the information gathered and include
detailed findings-of-fact regarding the behaviors in question.
The investigator(s) will determine whether each respondent violated the College’s
Hazing policy and document these findings in the investigation report. The Coordinator
- Community Standards and Outreach will impose appropriate sanctions in accordance
with the Coordinator - Community Standards and Outreach for students or student organizations
found to have violated the College’s Hazing policy. If the Coordinator - Community
Standards and Outreach does not provide the investigator(s) with sanctioning authority
over a respondent, the investigation report will be forwarded to the College official(s)
authorized to impose appropriate sanctions.
All respondents will be informed, in writing, of the College’s findings and any sanctions
imposed. Any opportunity for the respondent to appeal will follow the relevant policies
and procedures applicable to the respondent.
Respondents who violate the College’s Hazing policy will be subject to conduct sanctions,
which may include probation, loss of privileges, loss of recognized/registered status,
mandatory training or education, suspension, expulsion, administrative leave, revocation
of tenure, or termination. Respondents can also face sanctions under other College
policies as well as criminal or civil penalties imposed under applicable law.
Information Regarding Applicable State Law on Hazing
In addition to the College’s Hazing policy, members of the campus community should
be aware of applicable jurisdictional laws pertaining to Hazing.
State Laws
Under Illinois law (Illinois Hazing Act, 720 ILCS §5/12C50), the penalty for hazing
is up to 364 days incarceration and up to a $2,500.00 fine. Should hazing result in
gross bodily harm or death, the penalty increases to 1 to 3 years imprisonment and
up to a $25,000.00 fine.
In Illinois, hazing is not a commonly charged offense. For conduct resulting in bodily
harm or death, charges relating to battery or homicide are much more likely to be
brought. These can, of course, have much more serious consequences.
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
As required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the College publishes a Campus Hazing Transparency
Report that summaries findings concerning student organizations established or recognized
by the College that have been found responsible for violating the College’s Hazing
policy. The Transparency Report will be updated to include new findings of organizational
responsibility no less than twice annually following a final determination that a
student organization has violated the College’s Hazing policy. The first Transparency
Report will be published by December 23, 2025, unless no organizations have been found
responsible for Hazing at that time, as the College is not required to publish a Transparency
Report until a student organization has been found responsible for violating the College’s
Hazing policy on or after July 1, 2025.
Each entry published in the Transparency Report will include, at a minimum, the following
information:
• the student organization;
• a general description of the violation that resulted in the finding of responsibility;
• whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs;
• the findings of the institution (i.e., the rationale for finding the organization
responsible for Hazing);
• any sanctions placed on the student organization; and
• the dates on which—
o the incident was alleged to have occurred,
o the investigation into the incident was initiated,
o the investigation ended with a finding that a Hazing violation occurred, and
o the student organization was provided notice that the incident resulted in a Hazing
violation.
• A statement notifying the public of the availability of Hazing statistics that are
published in the Annual Campus Security Report;
• Information about the institution’s policies relating to Hazing; and
• Information on applicable local, State, and Tribal laws regarding Hazing.
Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programs
The College provides Hazing prevention and awareness programs that are informed by
research, campus-wide in scope, and designed to reach all students, staff, and faculty.
Programs address various topics, including:
• the College’s definition of Hazing, including a clear statement that the College
prohibits Hazing;
• the definition of Student Organization, as it applies to the College’s Hazing policy;
• how to report Hazing;
• the process the College will use to investigate reports of Hazing;
• information on applicable local, State, and Tribal laws regarding Hazing; and
• primary prevention strategies intended to stop Hazing before it occurs (including):
1. Education and Awareness Programs• Conduct mandatory workshops and seminars for students, athletes, and new members
of organizations to educate them about the dangers, legal consequences, and ethical
issues related to hazing.
• Use real-life stories, testimonials, and videos to highlight the negative impact
of hazing.
2. Clear Policies and Communication
• Establish and clearly communicate strict anti-hazing policies within schools, universities,
fraternities, sororities, and clubs.
• Make sure everyone understands what constitutes hazing and the consequences of engaging
in such behavior.
3. Promote Positive Traditions and Team-Building
• Encourage organizations to create alternative bonding activities that foster unity
and trust without humiliation or risk.
• Develop healthy initiation rituals that emphasize respect, inclusion, and personal
growth.
4. Leadership Training
• Train leaders, coaches, and organization officers to recognize early signs of hazing
and intervene appropriately.
• Empower leaders to set the tone and model respectful, safe behavior.
5. Empower Bystanders and Encourage Reporting
• Teach individuals how to safely intervene if they witness hazing or suspect it might
happen.
• Create anonymous and accessible reporting channels for concerns or incidents.
6. Community and Cultural Change
• Create anonymous and accessible reporting channels for concerns or incidents.
• Involve alumni, parents, and community members in anti-hazing campaigns to reinforce
positive norms.
These programs are part of the College’s comprehensive strategy to prevent incidents
of Hazing before they occur. These programs also raise awareness about the College’s
Campus Hazing Transparency Report that summarizes findings concerning student organizations
established or recognized by the College that have been found responsible for violating
the College’s Hazing policy.
Specifically, the College provides Hazing prevention and awareness programs to students
by:
• Hosting Mandatory Orientation Sessions:
New students attend sessions during orientation that clearly define what hazing is,
explain its risks, and inform students about the college’s anti-hazing policies.
• Conducting Workshops and Training Programs:
The College organizes regular workshops led by trained facilitators or guest speakers,
including survivors or experts, to educate students about the dangers of hazing and
promote positive group behaviors.
• Distributing Educational Materials:
Pamphlets, posters, and digital content outlining the signs of hazing, reporting procedures,
and support resources are made widely available across campus and online.
• Collaborating with Student Organizations:
The College partners with fraternities, sororities, clubs, and sports teams to implement
tailored prevention programs and promote safe initiation practices.
• Providing Anonymous Reporting Systems:
Students are encouraged to report suspected hazing anonymously through secure platforms,
ensuring confidentiality and protection from retaliation.
• Raising Awareness Through Campaigns:
The College runs awareness campaigns during National Hazing Prevention Week and throughout
the academic year, using social media, events, and contests to engage the student
body.
• Training Staff and Student Leaders:
Resident advisors, student leaders, and faculty receive specialized training to identify
hazing behaviors early and intervene effectively.
Additionally, the College provides Hazing prevention and awareness programs to employees
by:
• Conducting mandatory training sessions or workshops focused on recognizing, preventing,
and reporting hazing behaviors.
• Distributing educational materials such as brochures, emails, and online resources
outlining hazing policies and consequences.
• Hosting seminars or guest speaker events to raise awareness about the impact of
hazing and promote a positive campus culture.
• Implementing clear reporting procedures and support systems for employees who witness
or are affected by hazing.
• Including hazing prevention in employee orientation and ongoing professional development
programs.
• Collaborating with student organizations and other campus departments to create
a comprehensive approach to hazing prevention.
