Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person against another person regardless of the willingness of such other person to participate, in connection with initiation, affiliation, or continued membership in a student organization or academic, athletic team , or academic that creates a risk of or causes physical or psychological injury beyond the reasonable risks of normal participation in the District or organization.

Hazing may include, but is not limited to: whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking; sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme elements, or excessive physical exertion; forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other harmful substances; coerced sexual acts; activities that induce fear of bodily harm or violate local, state, tribal, or federal laws. (Link to Administrative Procedures 3436)

Hazing takes many forms, ranging from physical abuse to psychological manipulation. Examples include:

• Physical Abuse – Whipping, beating, striking, sleep deprivation, exposure to extreme conditions.

• Forced Consumption – Requiring individuals to ingest alcohol, drugs, or excessive food or liquids.

• Psychological Hazing – Public humiliation, forced silence, threats, or intimidation.

• Sexual Coercion – Pressing individuals to perform sexual acts.

• Criminal Acts – Encouraging theft, property destruction, underage drinking, or other illegal behavior.

An organization at the District in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the District regardless of whether the organization is established or recognized by the District. A student organization may include a student club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government.

The District prohibits students, student organizations, and employees from engaging in, encouraging, or facilitating hazing. The District strictly prohibits retaliation against individuals who report hazing.

Individuals may report incidents of hazing through “Just Report It” and Campus Hazing Report Form. You may report hazing anonymously by filling out the same form. (Linked Above and On Just Report It Webpage).

For Immediate Danger: Call 911

Individuals may also report hazing via a confidential reporting method in which the reporter provides his/her/their identity to the Dean of Student Services Office who will submit an anonymous report of Campus Hazing. The District will investigate reports of hazing promptly and with confidentiality protected to the extent permitted by law.

The Dean of Students Office will investigate complaints in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R). The SR&R shall govern all proceedings involving such a complaint. Sanctions, if appropriate, will be imposed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Violation of the District’s prohibition on hazing will result in appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or student expulsion. Student organizations recognized by the District that permit hazing may face suspension, revocation of recognition, or other disciplinary actions. Disciplinary action may include referral for criminal prosecution.

The District shall collect and report statistics on hazing incidents in its annual security reports. (See AP 3515 Reporting of Crimes.)

The District shall publish an annual Campus Hazing Transparency Report on its website. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will summarize hazing incidents and identify the student organization found responsible for hazing. The District will update this report at least twice per year (December and June) and maintain the Campus Hazing Transparency Report for five years.

The District will provide a comprehensive prevention and outreach program addressing hazing for students, employees, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office-Cabrillo Division during various student and employee orientations at the start of each fall and spring semester. The comprehensive prevention program shall include components on identifying hazing behavior, hazing prevention, and bystander intervention strategies. The District’s prevention outreach program shall inform students and employees of the District’s policy on the prohibition of hazing and include a process for contacting and informing the student body, athletic programs, and affiliated student organizations about the District’s prohibition on hazing.

The District requires all students involved in student organizations, clubs, or athletic teams to complete hazing prevention training annually. Additionally, all employees who advise or oversee student groups must also participate in annual complete hazing prevention training.

Link to Just Report It-Campus Hazing Report Form