Bradley Hazing Policy

Hazing

All forms of hazing on the part of any individual, group of individuals or organizations are subject to disciplinary action. No initiation or other activity shall be undertaken which endangers the health and safety of an individual, or demands an individual to engage in conduct of an unbecoming or humiliating nature, or in any way detracts from an individual’s academic pursuits.

Hazing is a broad term encompassing any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; which may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person regardless of location, intent, or consent of participants. Hazing can also be defined as any action of situation which intentionally or unintentionally endangers a student for admission into affiliation with any student organization. The consent of the student/participant or any assumption of risk by the student/participant is not a defense to an action brought pursuant to this policy.

Illinois State Statute and Bradley University Policy, as well as the policies of all national fraternities and sororities prohibit students from engaging in any activity that may be considered hazing. Furthermore, according to the Illinois Statute of Hazing, Section 120-1, anyone who commits the act of hazing could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.

Bradley University views hazing activities as not contributing to the positive development or welfare of the individual. The University recognizes acts of hazing as irresponsible, intolerable and inconsistent with the principles of higher education and basic human development.

Bradley University Statement on Hazing

Bradley University defines hazing as any activity a student or prospective student joining, or seeking to attain or maintain any status in, a group is expected or required to perform, or is subjected to, that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate.

Bradley University considers all of the following activities to be hazing. No student or prospective student shall be expected or required, in order to join, or attain or maintain any status in, a group to perform, or be subjected to, any act which:

1. Causes the individual to violate the Bradley University Standards of Conduct, the organization’s policies, or reflects negatively upon the reputation of Bradley University, the participants, or the organization.
2. Is illegal – including the use of drugs and alcohol.
3. Interferes with the student's participation in the academic process, including causing an individual to miss or be ill prepared for classes, labs, study sessions, or tests.
4. Requires or pressures an individual to consume alcohol.
5. Prevents an individual from securing normal amounts of sleep.
6. Requires an individual to perform personal services (including, but not limited to, driving, purchasing food, gifts or other items, etc.).
7. Is cruel or treats an individual in a “sub-human” manner.
8. Places an individual in danger of bodily harm.
9. Places severe emotional stress upon an individual.
10. Requires an individual to be present at activities for unreasonable periods of time.
11. Requires an unjustifiable time commitment.
12. Coerces new members to attend meetings/activities through fines/sanctions that are not also levied against active members.
13. Prescribes the wearing of anything to identify ones status (this includes new member T-shirts or wearing of required clothing/uniform). In the case of student organizations operating as an extension of a national or international organization, new member pins and prescribed dress attire will be permitted in accordance with national organization policy/standards.
14. Requires an individual to carry items they would not normally bear (including paddles, weights, bricks, signature books, pledge kits, etc.). In the case of student organizations operating as an extension of a national or international organization, carrying or prescribed items will be permitted in accordance with national organization policy/standards.
15. Requires an individual to answer the phone in a manner unlike a member would answer it.
16. Requires an individual to surrender personal belongings (wallet, watch, cell phone, keys, ID, etc.) for an extended period of time.
17. Prevents an individual from speaking for a period of time.
18. Prevents individuals from consuming certain types of food or liquid.
19. Requires an individual or group to walk as a group, or particular formation, or avoid stepping on designated locations.
20. Involves the abandonment of individuals, thereby requiring them to find their own way back to campus or other destination.
21. Requires the blindfolding of an individual (exceptions: during low ropes course with trained facilitator or as prescribed in writing for organization Ritual).
22. Requires an individual to stand when a member or alumni enters a room.
23. Requires an individual to intentionally deface a house, room, suite, apartment, etc.; or requires an individual to clean a house, room, suite, apartment, etc. of others.
24. Requires individuals to eat meals together, attend unscheduled “call-down” meetings or sleep in the house, suite, apartment, etc. together for any length of time without prior, written permission from the appropriate University Office.
25. Requires an individual to address or refer to others in a manner different from how they are addressed (i.e. Mr./Ms. Smith for members, Pledge Jean for new members).
26. Requires individuals to participate in scavenger hunts or similar activities by any name that involves taking of items, time, deadlines, etc.

This list is in no way all inclusive of hazing activities. Any questions regarding suspected hazing, violations of a student's or prospective student's rights, or other questionable activities should be reported to the appropriate University office.

It is not a defense to a charge of hazing that:

1. Express or implied consent was obtained;
2. The conduct or activity was not part of an official organizational or group event or was not otherwise sanctioned or approved by the organization or group; or
3. The conduct or activity was not a condition of membership or affiliation with the organization or group.

Repercussions of Hazing

Violations of the University’s Standards of Conduct may result in sanctions including; dismissal from the University, suspension from the University, disciplinary probation, censure, fines or restitution, referrals, campus or community assistance requirement, and/or banning.

Additionally, the University will apply additional sanctions upon the guilty organizations which may include; removal of leadership, loss of membership intake or new member privileges for a period of time, loss of recognition for a period of time, suspension from the University for a period of time, indefinite suspension from the University, and/or permanent suspension from the University.

The Illinois Hazing Act, a criminal statute, defines the offense of hazing as follows:
Hazing. A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution if:

1. the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and
2. the act results in bodily harm to any person.

Should the acts of hazing meet the standards of the Illinois Hazing Act, the University reserves the right to report the incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Reporting Hazing Activity

Any Bradley University faculty, staff, student, or advisor, with knowledge or suspicion of hazing is expected to report the activity to the appropriate University Office. In the event active hazing, with the potential for bodily harm is witnessed, Bradley University Police should be notified immediately.

Who to Contact

All reports of hazing within the Bradley University fraternity and sorority community should be directed to the Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life: Cory Bosco at cbosco@bradley.edu or (309) 677- 2608.

All reports of hazing within the student organizations, and club sports teams (non-fraternity and sorority) should be directed to the Executive Director for Student Involvement: Tom Coy at tcoy@bradley.edu or (309) 677-3053.

All reports of hazing within intercollegiate athletic teams should be directed to the Senior Association Athletic Director: jenjones@bradley.edu or (309) 677-2846.

Any reports of hazing not falling within the previously mentioned categories should be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs: Nathan Thomas at nthomas@bradley.edu or (309) 677-3140.

Those who wish to report hazing activity and wish to withhold their name and identifying information from the investigation may do so, but as a result will limit the ability of the University to conduct a full investigation. Confidentially can be guaranteed, but anonymity cannot.

Retaliating in any manner against any individual who reports hazing or who participates in an investigation of a hazing report is prohibited. In addition, making an intentionally false accusation of hazing is prohibited.

Rights of Those Who Report

Individuals who are victims of hazing and who truthfully report the activities shall not be individually charged with a violation of this regulation.

Individuals who have knowledge of a hazing incident, but who did not participate, and truthfully report the activities shall not be individually charged with a violation of this regulation in relation to that particular incident.

An organization that seeks assistance in preventing hazing from occurring within the organization, even if past behaviors have included hazing, shall not be charged with a past violation of this hazing policy.

Any organization that self-reports a hazing behavior to the appropriate University office shall be given the opportunity to change those behaviors without immediate threat of being charged with a violation of this regulation. An organization that self-reports shall identify those individuals responsible for the hazing behaviors. If evidence is presented in subsequent semesters that hazing behaviors have continued within the organization, that organization may be held responsible for past behaviors.

Responsibility for determining applicability of these rights will be made by the appropriate University administrator.