Students are responsible for knowing the following:
Hazing is prohibited by law and College policy. All members of Organizations and/or athletic teams are required to comply with applicable laws and College regulations prohibiting hazing.
Definition
Occidental College defines hazing as any actions taken or situation created to produce or cause mental or physical discomfort, mental or physical harm, social ostracism, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule with or without the individual's consent. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this policy.
Reporting
Reports may be made to the Office of Student Life (stulife@oxy.edu / 323-259-2918), the Office of Student Conduct (conduct@oxy.edu / 323-341-4063), or the Dean of Students Office (deanofstudents@oxy.edu / 323-259-2661). Reports will be addressed through the procedures established in the Code of Student Conduct (section G).
Prohibited Activities
Such activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: use of drugs and/or alcohol; requiring new or potential members to clean items, housing, or other property; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests; treasure hunts; scavenger hunts; road trips or any other such activities; kidnappings; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and/or behavior for the purpose of ridicule; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other such activities that are not consistent with academic achievement, or the regulations and policies of Occidental College and/or applicable law.
Alternatives
Students and Organizations should consider the risk of hosting events involving alcohol. Further, students and Organizations should include current members to participate in activities typically reserved for new or potential members (provided that the activity itself is not a violation of this policy). Such activities may be community service, competitions against other Organizations (such as intramural sports), and mentoring. Any Organizational “cleaning" or “property improvement" project should never be required to partial membership.
Rituals and Tradition
Students and Organizations should consider reviewing rituals and internal processes objectively. While tradition and history may weigh powerfully in decisions, the practices of the past are not always acceptable. The Office of Student Life and the Office of Student Conduct staff members are available to review any rituals and processes.
Jurisdiction
Occidental College prohibits any Organization and/or athletic team from engaging collectively or individually in hazing. This policy also applies whether the situation occurs on- or off-campus and to all groups whether the College officially recognizes them or not.
Conduct action at the College level is considered independent from court proceedings and may be instituted against a student and/or Organization also charged in civil or criminal courts based on the same facts that constitute the alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct. For more information on hazing, visit the Office of Student Life.
See also: Hazing Education and Prevention, The Hazing Spectrum
Last reviewed: July, 2020