成人色导航

Hazing Policy

Introduction

St. John’s College Hazing Policy complies with the requirements set forth by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, signed into law on December 23, 2024, and the Maryland Anti Hazing Law (Criminal Law Art. § 3-607). Taken together, these regulations require the College to implement policies and programs to prevent hazing and outline the process by which it will be investigated and addressed.

The health and well-being of every St. John’s College student are the responsibility of the entire community, and we are committed to providing a safe campus environment in which students can thrive. All members of the community are expected to act in a manner that does not place others in physical or emotional fear or subject them to behaviors that put their health and well-being at risk.

Scope

This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, contractors, and volunteers at the College.

Definitions

Complainant is an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute a policy violation as defined herein.

Reporting Party is an individual(s) making a report that this Policy has been violated. The Reporting Party and the Complainant may or may not be the same individual(s). The report of an engaged bystander can provide critical direction for the investigation of misconduct, even when the misconduct was not directed at the Reporting Party.

Respondent is a person or student organization who is alleged to have violated the College’s prohibition on hazing as defined herein.

Student organization is an organization at the College (such as a club, society, association, athletic team, club/intramural sports team, band, study group, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the College, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the College.

Prohibited Conduct

This policy prohibits all forms of hazing, including all prohibited conduct described below, where:

  • The conduct occurs within a College program or activity.
  • The conduct is associated with a College-sponsored program or activity, including conduct occurring outside of the United States.
  • The conduct occurs outside of a College program or activity, but the College determines that it implicates a substantial College interest; or
  • The conduct involves the use of the College’s computing and network resources from a remote location, including but not limited to accessing email accounts.

Allegations of hazing that do not fall under this policy because they do not constitute prohibited conduct as defined herein may constitute violations of other College policies.

In cases where there are allegations of violations of other College policies stemming from the same set of facts alleging a violation of this policy, those allegations may be adjudicated as part of a single disciplinary process. In determining whether alleged conduct violates this policy, the College will consider the totality of the facts and circumstances involved in the incident, including the nature of the alleged conduct and the context in which it occurred.

The prohibited behaviors listed below are serious offenses and will result in sanctions, as described below. The Respondent’s consumption of alcohol or the use of illegal substances does not constitute a mitigating circumstance when it contributes to a violation under this policy.

The following constitute prohibited conduct under this policy:

  • Federal Hazing (as defined by Federal law): 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 College or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:
      • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing harmful substances 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 activities.
      • 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 by use of threatening words or conduct.
      • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, 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.
  • Maryland Hazing (as defined by Maryland law): A person may not recklessly or intentionally do an act or create a situation that subjects a student to the risk of serious bodily injury for the purpose of an initiation into a student organization of a school, college, or university. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both. The implied or express consent of a student to hazing is not a defense under this section.
  • College Hazing (as defined by College policy): 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 as a form of initiation, admission, rite of passage, training, or any other condition of participation/membership in, affiliation with, or standing with any group or activity (whether formal or informal); and
    • causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered during participation in
    • the College or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:
      • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing harmful substances 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 activities.
      • 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 by use of threatening words or conduct.
  • Retaliation: intimidation, threats, or coercion against any person by the College, a student, or an employee for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy, or because the person has reported information, made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing associated with a report alleging a violation of this Policy.

Confidentiality and Required Disclosures

Persons involved in the grievance process under this policy are strongly encouraged to exercise discretion in sharing information in order to safeguard the integrity of the process and to avoid the appearance of retaliation, provided the parties are not restricted from discussing the allegations in so far as these discussions are necessary to obtain and present evidence, identify witnesses, consult with family members, or otherwise prepare for or participate in the procedures outlined within this policy. The parties are reminded that, in addition to this Policy’s prohibition on Retaliation, the College’s Community Standards Policy remains in effect with respect to the parties’ dealings with one another, witnesses, and third parties related to the proceedings under this Policy.

As required under the Stop Campus Hazing Act and the Clery Act, the College is required to collect non-identifying statistical information about hazing, as defined herein as “Federal Hazing.” These statistics are shared with Public Safety for inclusion in the Daily Crime Log and in the Annual Security Report. The College is also required to publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report summarizing findings concerning any established or recognized student organization found to be in violation of this Policy.

Reporting

Persons covered under this policy who have witnessed, experienced, or are aware of conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy are encouraged to talk to somebody about what happened. Reports of hazing can be reported to:

Annapolis Campus

Santa Fe

Reports can also be made to the Public Safety Office on the appropriate campus at any time:

  • In Santa Fe: Dial “0” from a campus phone or call 505-984-6000
  • In Annapolis: Dial “x2000” from a campus phone or call 443-336-2348

Anonymous reports of a violation of the Policy may be made by calling the College’s Compliance Hotline administered by Lighthouse Services at 844-490-0002 (or for services in Spanish, 800-216-1288). Reports will be forwarded to the appropriate campus representative. It should be noted that the College’s ability to investigate or act upon anonymous reports may be limited.

Amnesty

The College encourages reporting and recognizes that a Reporting Party, Complainant, or Witness who has been drinking or using drugs, or who otherwise has engaged in conduct in violation of the Community Standards Policy, at or near the time of the incident may be hesitant to make a report or participate in an investigation because of potential consequences for their own conduct. Furthermore, the College encourages students to offer help and assistance to others in need. Sometimes, students may be hesitant to aid others for fear that they may get in trouble themselves. To address these concerns and encourage students to offer help and assistance to others, the College has implemented an amnesty policy for Reporting Parties, Complainants and Witnesses who participate in an investigation of hazing.

Students who report an alleged violation of this policy, either as a Reporting Party, Complainant, or a third-party Witness, will not be subject to disciplinary action by the College for their own personal consumption of alcohol or drugs, or for a violation of the Community Standards Policy, at or near the time of the incident.

Amnesty does not apply to violations that the College determines to be egregious, including actions that place the health or safety of any other person at risk, violate the rights of another community member (such as sexual misconduct, harassment, or discrimination), involve damage to College property, or involve plagiarism, cheating, or academic dishonesty. In such cases, however, the College may consider the student’s cooperation in determining appropriate consequences. When policy violations cannot be overlooked, educational options, rather than punishment, will also be considered for those who offer their assistance to others in need.

In all circumstances, amnesty will not apply if someone is found to have possessed, used, provided, or administered alcohol or other drugs for the purpose of facilitating hazing or harm to others.

Emergency Removal and Administrative Leave

In connection with this policy, whether or not a grievance process is underway, the College may summarily remove an individual (students and employees) from the education program or activity on an emergency basis, after undertaking an individualized safety and risk analysis, and upon the determination that the individual poses an imminent and serious threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual (including themselves, the Respondent, the Complainant, or any other individual). This includes placing an employee Respondent on administrative leave from employment responsibilities during the pendency of the grievance procedures. Violation of an emergency removal under this policy is grounds for expulsion or termination. In all cases in which emergency removal is imposed, the individual will be given the opportunity to appeal prior to the emergency removal being imposed, or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible, to show cause why the emergency removal should not be implemented. Appeals for cases on the Annapolis Campus will be reviewed by Christine Guevara, VP of Student Engagement in Santa Fe. Appeals for cases on the Santa Fe Campus will be reviewed by Danielle Lico, VP of Student Affairs in Annapolis.

Investigations and Sanctions

Reports of hazing will follow the conduct investigation and adjudication procedures outlined in the Community Standards Guidelines for each campus. Should a report include an employee, the appropriate employee policy will be followed.

Sanctions may range from mandated education, a formal warning, probation, suspension, expulsion (for students), or corrective action up to and including termination (for employees).

Awareness Policy

St. John’s College has comprehensive education and awareness programs for students and employees on hazing awareness and prevention and how to report a concern. Hazing prevention education is required for all incoming students to complete before they start classes. All employees are required to complete training on how to identify, prevent, and report hazing. The required training program is contracted through Vector Solutions to meet the requirements of state and federal law.