2.6 Hazing Prevention Regulation

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) strives to exceed the changing expectations of our many communities for effective, innovative, student-centered, flexible and lifelong educational opportunities. Our employees are committed to respecting diversity, continuous quality improvement and the efficient use of resources. We are a learning organization guided by our shared values of: education, students, employees, excellence, diversity, honesty and integrity, freedom, fairness, responsibility and public trust.

Central to the vitality and dignity of our community of learners is an environment that produces broadly educated responsible citizens, who are prepared to serve and lead in a free society. Academic instruction, co-curricular activities and community involvement come together to meet this goal. All members of the MCCCD community, through the best of their abilities, must be provided the opportunity to contribute in a safe, orderly, civil and positive learning environment. One factor that inhibits the achievement of the above stated purpose is the practice of hazing.

  1. Hazing by any student, employee or other person affiliated with MCCCD is prohibited.
  2. "Hazing" is defined as any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a student or other person in any MCCCD college or affiliated educational setting, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against another student, and in which both of the following apply:
    1. The act was committed in connection with an initiation into, an affiliation with or the maintenance of membership in any club/organization that is affiliated with MCCCD; and
    2. The act contributes to a substantial risk of potential physical injury, mental harm or personal degradation, or causes physical injury, mental harm or personal degradation.
  3. Any solicitation to engage in hazing is prohibited.
  4. Aiding and abetting another person who is engaged in hazing is prohibited.
  5. Victim consent is not a defense for violation of the Maricopa Community Colleges Hazing Prevention Regulation.
  6. All students, faculty and staff must take reasonable measures within the scope of their individual authority to prevent violations of the MCCCD Hazing Prevention Regulation.
  7. Hazing activities and situations include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Pre-pledging, illegal pledging or underground activities.
    2. Acts of metal and physical abuse, including, but not limited to: paddling, slapping, kicking, pushing, yelling, biting, duck-walking, line-ups, tuck-ins, belittling, excessive exercise, beating or physical abuse of any kind, and the potentially forced consumption of any food or beverage that contributes to or causes physical injury, mental harm or personal degradation.
    3. Sleep deprivation (activities that deprive prospective and/or current students and/or members of the opportunity of a minimum of six hours sufficient sleep each day).
    4. Encouraging or forcing use of alcohol or drugs.
    5. Any type of student club/organization scavenger hunt, quest, road trip or other activity that would physically or psychologically endanger prospective and/or current students and/or members or others.
    6. Stroking or physically touching in an indecent or inappropriate manner. See Sexual Harassment Policy 5.1.8
    7. Student club/organization activities that subject prospective and/or current students and/or members or others to public nuisance or spectacle.
    8. Aiding or abetting theft, fraud, embezzlement of funds, destruction of public, personal or private property, or academic misconduct.
    9. Being required to wear odd or look-alike apparel that contributes to or causes physical injury, mental harm or personal degradation.
    10. Personal services that contribute to or cause physical injury, mental harm or personal degradation.
  8. Alleged violations of this regulation by students or student organizations can be reported to the vice president of student affairs' office for investigation by any member of the college community. The vice president of student affairs' office will investigate the complaint in accordance with the student disciplinary code, all other college and MCCCD policies, and local and state laws.

     

    Alleged violations of the MCCCD hazing prevention regulation or interference with an investigation under this regulation by students or student organizations are subject to sanctions under the student disciplinary code.

     

    The student disciplinary code shall govern all proceedings involving such a complaint. Decisions arrived at as outcomes of the proceedings shall be final, pending the normal appeal process.
  9. Alleged violations of the MCCCD hazing prevention regulation by any faculty or staff member can be reported to the vice president of student affairs' office for investigation by any member of the college community. The vice president of student affairs' office will investigate the complaint in accordance with college and MCCCD policies, and local and state laws.

     

    Any MCCCD faculty or staff member who knowingly permitted, authorized or condoned the alleged hazing activity is subject to disciplinary action in accordance with college and MCCCD policies, and local and state laws.
  10. If the vice president of student affairs' office receives a report or complaint of an alleged hazing activity involving physical injury, threats of physical injury, intimidation, harassment or property damage, or any other conduct that appears to violate Arizona state law, the college will report such conduct to the appropriate college safety office. The said college safety office will investigate, respond to and report on the alleged hazing activity in accordance with all college, district, local, state and federal guidelines, policies and laws.
  11. Should the proceedings outlined above substantiate an occurrence of hazing activity-where students or student organizations knowingly permitted, authorized or condoned the hazing activity-the college can recommend the following sanctions against student clubs/organizations:
    1. CENSURE: Censure can include the required completion of a program designed with the intent of eliminating the hazing activity. The programs will be devised with the cooperation of all involved parties and monitored by the vice president of student affairs' office.
    2. PROBATION: The student club(s)/organization(s) will be placed on probation for a specified period of time. Conditions of probation will be determined by the vice president of student affairs' office and outlined in writing to the student club(s)/organization(s). The probationary term will be monitored by the vice president of student affairs.
    3. SUSPENSION: The student club(s)/organization(s) will be suspended. The terms of the suspension can be defined in the sanction, including criteria the student club(s)/organization(s) must meet within a specified time to be considered for admission or renewal of college recognition status.
    4. REVOCATION: The student club(s)/organization(s) will have its status revoked, with the loss of all college associations, recognitions and privileges. The national or international office of an organization, if so affiliated, will be requested to revoke the charter of an organization.
  12. The MCCCD hazing prevention regulation is not intended to prohibit or sanction the following conduct:
    1. Customary athletic events, contests or competitions that are sponsored by the college or MCCCD.
    2. Any activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educational curriculum, a legitimate co-curricular experience or a legitimate military training program.
  13. For the purposes of the MCCCD hazing prevention regulation:

    "Organization" is defined as an athletic team, association, order, society, corps, cooperative, club or other similar group that is affiliated with MCCCD, whose membership consists primarily of students enrolled at MCCCD and that may also be classroom-related or co-curricular in nature.

ADOPTED through the Administrative Regulation approval process, June 24, 2002