Hazing Policy

Policy Statement: In keeping with York University’s mission to cultivate a Christ-centered learning community characterized by love, service, and respect, any practice that degrades, humiliates, abuses, or endangers another person is forbidden as a condition of initiation, affiliation, or continued membership in any group. This policy applies to formal and informal groups, recognized and unrecognized organizations, on-campus and off-campus activities, and both in-person and virtual environments, whether or not alcohol or other substances are involved. Violations of this policy may result in university disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal, in addition to any applicable criminal or civil consequences under Nebraska law and federal requirements.

Definition of Hazing: In keeping with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, hazing is defined as:

“Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by one student (or more) against another student (or students), regardless of consent, that—

1. is connected to initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization affiliated with the institution; and
2. contributes to a substantial risk of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation; and
3. is intended to cause or actually causes physical injury, humiliation, harassment, or mental/emotional distress.”

This definition supplements the State of Nebraska's definition of hazing and applies to all York University students, faculty, and staff.

Nebraska State Hazing Law: Nebraska law defines hazing as any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership with any organization. Such hazing activities include, but are not limited to, whipping, beating, branding, acts of sexual penetration or lewd touching, forced and prolonged calisthenics, prolonged exposure to the elements, forced consumption of food, liquor, drugs, or other harmful substances, prolonged sleep deprivation, or any brutal treatment or unlawful act that endangers physical or mental health or safety. Under Nebraska Revised Statute 28‑311.06, hazing is a Class II misdemeanor, and when committed by members of a student organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution, the organization may be subject to fines of up to $10,000.

Scope of Prohibited Conduct: Prohibited hazing conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Physical brutality (e.g., whipping, beating, branding)
• Forced consumption of any substance
• Acts intended to produce mental/emotional stress
• Sleep deprivation or confinement
• Any activity that causes or is likely to cause embarrassment, humiliation, or degradation
• Any ridicule and discipline for not remembering or learning organization traditions or members’ names.
• Any type of verbal abuse or intimidation of a student.
• Any type of personal servitude or requirement to purchase goods for organization members.
• Any compelled or coerced repetitive physical activity that is not reasonably related to organized training, conditioning, or practice for a university-sponsored team or program.
• Any activity that requires students to endure environments that create physical or emotional discomfort or that endanger one’s physical safety.
• Any blindfolding of students creating an environment that endangers them by restricting their senses.
• Any type of humiliation based on the physical or personal characteristics or personal convictions of students.
• Any activity requiring students to place themselves in any foreign substance or shaving or otherwise marking their bodies.
• Any activity that requires students to partially or fully disrobe.
• Any activity that creates significant emotional trauma for a student.
• Any physical abuse that coerces or forces students to eat or drink anything or place any foreign object in any orifice of the body.
• Any requirement to endure environments that create extreme physical or emotional discomfort or endanger physical safety.
• Any “dogging”, abandoning, binding, or confining of students.
• Any failure to comply with the directives of an advisor or any university official.
• Any activity that constitutes a negative form of group discipline or punishment.
• Any activity that involves hinting, suggesting, urging, etc., that a student perform some type of action that is a violation of law and/or the university Code of Conduct.

Consent to hazing is not a defense under this policy.

Reporting Procedures: All members of the York University community are encouraged to report suspected hazing. Reports may be made to the Dean of Students at klmiles@york.edu. The Dean of Students and the Office of Student Life will conduct an investigation if deemed warranted.

Education and Prevention: York University will provide annual hazing prevention training and awareness programming for all students, faculty and staff, especially for:

• Members of student organizations, athletic teams, and Greek life
• New students during orientation
• Student leaders and sponsors

These programs will include information on the definition of hazing, how to report hazing, and the consequences of participating in or failing to report hazing. The Dean of Student Life shall distribute the Hazing Policy to all students via e-mail during the first month of classes.

Sanctions: Any student of York University who participates in a hazing activity, as defined in this policy, is subject to discipline, which may include dismissal and referral to local law enforcement. Hazing is a Level 3 violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Any campus organization, team, or group that violates the university prohibition on hazing shall be subject to discipline, including warnings, fines, probation, suspension, or dissolution.

Reporting and Transparency: In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act:

• York University will collect and report hazing-related statistics annually through its federally mandated Annual Security Report (ASR) under the Jeanne Clery Act.
• York University will maintain and publicly post a Hazing Transparency Report, updated biannually, listing any reported incidents, findings, and resulting disciplinary actions involving hazing by student organizations.