Hazing Policy

Policy Statement

Anti-Hazing Policy Statement

Hazing is abusive, degrading, psychologically damaging, and may be life-threatening. It is unacceptable in all forms and has no place in the SUNY Brockport community. Student groups, organizations, and athletic teams are important contributors to a vibrant and positive campus life and are expected to act in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct and to treat others with respect. Hazing by individuals and student organizations is prohibited in any form, both on and off campus.

Purpose/Scope

Based on the Stop Campus Hazing Act, SUNY Brockport implemented this policy, effective June 23, 2025.

Applicability

This policy applies to all students and student organizations as defined in the policy.

Definitions

Hazing — 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 during 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 during 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.

The following are non-exhaustive examples of conduct that causes or creates such a risk:

• Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
• Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
• Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of applicable local, New York State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
• 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.

This definition is compliant with New York State law. Under New York State Penal Law, a person may be charged with hazing if, during another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, they intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct that creates a substantial risk of and/or causes physical injury to another person. A criminal charge of hazing may result in a violation or misdemeanor.

Student Organization — An organization at an institution of higher education (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 institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

Policy Procedures

Reporting Incidents of Hazing

SUNY Brockport encourages the reporting of incidents of hazing and takes every such report seriously. It will investigate all reports diligently and thoroughly in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct and/or other applicable policies and procedures. Individuals found responsible for committing, soliciting, encouraging, directing, aiding, or recklessly permitting hazing to occur will be subject to disciplinary sanction that could include suspension or expulsion.

Any person may report hazing in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email, using the contact information listed below for the Office of Student Conduct, or by utilizing the online reporting forms:

SUNY Brockport Office of Student Conduct
Director of Student Conduct
Thompson Hall, Student Conduct Wing
studentconduct@brockport.edu
(585) 395-5172

Incident Reporting Form

Private and Confidential Reporting

SUNY Brockport will respect the privacy of reporters but cannot guarantee confidentiality for hazing reports. The information you provide to a non-confidential resource will be relayed only as necessary to investigate and/or seek a resolution and/or to comply with other appropriate SUNY Brockport policies and procedures, and any federal, state and/or local laws, rules, and regulations. SUNY Brockport will limit the disclosure as much as possible, even if the institution determines that the request for confidentiality cannot be honored. SUNY Brockport non-confidential resources include any faculty or staff member who is not listed as a confidential resource below. This includes University Police and the Office of Student Conduct.

Offices and officials who are confidential resources will not report to law enforcement or University officials without a complainant / reporting party’s permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency. SUNY Brockport offices that are considered confidential are as follows:

Hazen Center For Integrated Care (Student Health and Counseling Centers)

Amnesty Related to Hazing Reports

SUNY Brockport recognizes that students are sometimes reluctant to report hazing activity, due to fear of potential consequences for their own conduct. For this reason, the University has adopted an amnesty policy which states that a student who acts in good faith to report activity that may fall within the definition of hazing, and/or a victim who cooperates fully as a witness in the investigation and disciplinary process, may not be subject to student conduct sanctions related to their own participation in hazing behavior or other behavior, including alcohol and/or drug violations, as determined by the University in its sole discretion.

In the event amnesty is granted for self-reported behaviors, if evidence is presented that the student has continued to engage in hazing behaviors or has knowledge of hazing activity that was not reported, they may be held accountable for past behavior. Students who choose to report and request amnesty for their own conduct should know that amnesty does not apply to any criminal or civil action that may be taken by any law enforcement agencies, including University Police.

Investigation Process

After a report is received, SUNY Brockport will quickly review the submission and determine the next appropriate actions. If a report is criminal in nature, University Police and/or local law enforcement will be contacted. SUNY Brockport will also conduct its own investigation to prevent a recurrence of the alleged hazing and to determine if there are potential violations of the Code of Student Conduct and/or any other applicable processes, depending upon the nature of the complaint.

Retaliation

No person may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual because the individual made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Hazing Policy and Procedure. Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and/or Human Resources. Any reports of retaliation involving an employee covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement will be addressed through the appropriate processes.

Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programs Policy

SUNY Brockport’s prevention, education, and awareness programs related to hazing utilize best practices and are designed to reach students, staff, and faculty, including: 1) information related to institutional policies against hazing; and 2) primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before it occurs, which may include skill building for bystander intervention, information on ethical leadership, and the promotion of strategies for building group cohesion without hazing. Faculty, staff, and students are provided an online module with comprehensive training annually. Additionally, the University provides multiple educational opportunities for students, on the Hazing webpage.

Links to Related Procedures and Information

Code of Student Conduct

Hazing webpage

Incident Reporting Form

Contact Information

Office of Student Conduct
Thompson Hall
studentconduct@brockport.edu
(585) 395-5172

History (in descending order)

Item	Date	Explanation
Next Review Date	2030-06-23	Five-year review.
Revision Date	2025-06-23	Language updated throughout, per SUNY mandate.
Revision Date	2018-06-21	Added language consistent with Student Code of Conduct.
Revision Date	2017-07-13	Added language to include non-recognized students and/or student groups.
Adoption Date	2006-04-04	Policy Adopted

Approval

This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on 2025-06-23