Hazing Prevention

The College prohibits hazing within the College community, whether it occurs on or off campus. The consent or assumption of the risk by an individual or group of individuals are not defenses to hazing that is in violation of this policy. Hazing that does not violate the Anti-Hazing Law may nevertheless constitute hazing under this policy which may result in individuals or organizations being charged for violating this policy. Student programs and events, recruitment of prospective members, or intake-related activities by nature must reflect the best interests of the parties involved, potential new members, members of the organization, the College, and the College community. Further, the Student Code of Conduct specifically prohibits hazing and states:

Hazing: Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which requires, encourages, or permits violation of any federal, state, or local statute or College policy, for the purpose of initiation or membership into, or affiliation with, or membership in any student organizations recognized by, or affiliated with the College. This holds true regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. This rule is not intended to prohibit any activity or conduct that furthers the legitimate educational curriculum or a legitimate extracurricular program as defined and approved by the College.

Additionally, the College supports and enforces the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, Act 80 of 2018. Failure to notify the College of an incident of hazing may be a violation of this policy. Any individual experiencing or witnessing behavior suspected to be hazing is encouraged to report the behavior through the online Incident Reporting Form or in person to the office of Campus Safety, located in the lobby of Manor Northeast. 

Hazing occurs when an individual intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, for the purpose of initiating, admitting, or affiliating an individual into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing the individual’s membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces, or forces an individual to do any of the following: 

1. Consume any food, drink, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug, or other substance which subjects the individual to a risk of emotional or physical harm.
2. Any brutality of a physical nature, which may include but is not limited to whipping, beating, branding, paddling, kicking, striking, pushing, shoving, tackling, calisthenics, or exposure to the elements.
3. Endure brutality of a mental nature, which may include but is not limited to activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, or conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment or degradation.
4. Any activity which has the potential to be frightening, intimidating, unlawful, degrading, or unduly deceptive, including deception designed to convince the individual of impending pain, injury, or non-initiation.
5. Any activity involving servitude, e.g., running personal errands, berating or verbally harassing individuals, throwing items at or on individuals, forcing individuals to carry items or wear apparel which is undignified, requiring public stunts, such as forcing individuals to yell when entering or departing a physical structure or in the presence of designated individuals, forcing individuals to use potential new member entrances or exits, intentionally creating labor or clean-up work, and requiring individuals to wear scant clothing or to be nude.
6. Endure brutality of a sexual nature.
7. Any activity which endangers or has the potential to endanger the academic performance of the individual, such as not allowing adequate time for, or interfering with academic commitments.
8. Any activity that involves the forced exclusion from social contact with any other individual.
9. Any willful destruction or removal of public or private property for the purpose of imitation or admission into or affiliation with, or as condition for, continued membership in an organization.
10. Any violation of federal, state, or local law or rule or College policy. 

In addition to violating this policy and the College’s Student Code of Conduct, hazing is a criminal offense under Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code and is graded from summary offense up to a third-degree felony depending on the severity of the misconduct. See 18 of pa.C.S. ɛɛ2802-2803

During the past academic year, prevention efforts have been made to educate the campus community on anti-hazing. Below is a list of these efforts.

Athletics

Within the Department of Athletics and Recreation, efforts were made to make each student-athlete aware that hazing was strictly prohibited. In the fall of 2023, each of the intercollegiate teams had a meeting with the sole purpose of addressing hazing. At these meetings, the coaching staff was provided with the document published by the NCAA titled Building New Traditions: Hazing Prevention in College Athletics. This document defines hazing, discusses critical concepts to prevent hazing, and reviews some of the commonly held myths about the role of hazing held by student-athletes. All student-athletes are provided a brochure that defines hazing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, informs them of YCP’s policy, and provides information about how to report hazing. All meetings took place between August 28 and September 7, 2023.

Club Sports teams receive the anti-hazing information provided to all clubs and organizations, and staff from Campus Recreation also cover hazing at the beginning of the year Club Sports presidents meeting.

Office of Greek Life

During the fall of 2023, the Office of Greek Life focused on hazing prevention through a variety of educational efforts. The office participated in National Hazing Prevention Week from September 25-29, 2023. The following events took place during that time: educational tabling in the Student Union, a screening of the documentary "Breathe Nolan, Breathe" with discussion, a candlelight vigil for those lost to hazing, signing of an anti-hazing pledge, and wearing purple to stand against hazing. 

Two educational sessions and signing York College's anti-hazing pledge also took place for each new member class period (one per semester), which is part of the New Member 101 program that takes place over a period of four weeks.

Student Senate, Clubs and Organizations and Campus Life

All student organization presidents and treasurers attend a required meeting each semester, which covers a review of the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law. This includes a slide with all of the information regarding the law, as well as a discussion with the Assistant Dean of Student Development for 10-15 minutes regarding York College hazing policies and reporting options, including time for questions. This information was asked to be shared and covered with all student organizations at their first general meetings of the semester. These trainings occurred in August of 2023 and January of 2024.