Anti-Hazing Policy

This Policy applies to all students, including members of student organizations and athletic teams. The Policy covers prohibited conduct that occurs on- or off-campus¹ and is committed by individuals, groups, and/or student organizations.

^{1 As defined in the Student Handbook available at: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/offices-services/community-life/student-handbook}

Members of the College Community – Faculty, staff, volunteers (e.g., advisors and volunteer coaches), organizations, groups, alumni, and consultants are members of the college community for purposes of this policy.

Hazing – Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that is committed in connection with (a) initiation into, (b) an affiliation with, or (c) continued membership in a group-affiliated activity, which causes or endangers physical or psychological harm and/or unreasonably interferes with a person’s successful pursuit of an academic program or institutional employment.

Student Group - For the purposes of this Policy, student groups include Registered Student Organizations, and any number of students who are formally associated with one another, but their association does not meet the definition of a registered student organization. Examples of student groups include, but are not limited to, athletic teams (including varsity sports, club sports, and intramural sports), spirit groups, military organizations, honor societies, musical or theatrical ensembles, college bands, etc..

As Saint Mary's College of California is a federally-funded institution, and receives states monies, it must comply with several federal and state laws and regulations, including:

• Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act
• California’s Stop Campus Hazing Act 

All forms of hazing are prohibited by this Policy. The College’s prohibition on hazing applies to any qualifying activity committed on- or off-campus. Prohibited hazing may be committed by individuals, groups, or recognized institutional organizations. Consent by a victim is not a defense of hazing. 

The following actions may constitute hazing and are prohibited, regardless of intent or consent. These examples are illustrative and not exhaustive:

• Submission of members or prospective members to situations that a reasonable person would understand to be potentially dangerous or hazardous
• Activities which have a foreseeable potential for resulting in personal injury, such as acts of violence or exposure to the elements (e.g., activities that include having individuals participate in physical acts of exertion in extreme heat, having members hold ice or other frozen objects, sleeping outside, etc.)
• An activity that would have a potential to cause:
  • Mental anxiety or distress - any activity that would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as: verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, or instilling fear or anxiety related to initiation or group affiliation
  • Public embarrassment - an action that causes embarrassment, humiliation, or ridicule, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate
  • Disruption to a person’s normal schedule. A normal schedule includes three reasonably spaced meals per day, the opportunity for sufficient rest at night (at least six full hours), and reasonable time for personal hygiene.
  • Experience or observance of forced or coerced sexual acts², whether real or simulated
• Tests of endurance such as forced calisthenics, runs, and/or workouts
  • Line ups – Acts where individuals are forced, coerced, or encouraged to line up in any formation and be questioned on information either through physical or verbal threats.
• Unwanted ingestion of any substance including, but not limited to, alcohol, drugs, food, or other substances.
• Assigning tasks or responsibilities not expected of others, including forced personal servitude. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Cleaning
  • Driving
  • Running errands
  • Being on call for members/co-workers
• Unusual Attire - wearing apparel, which is conspicuous, embarrassing, and not normally in good taste, and/or inappropriate for the time of year
• Activities that violate law or College policy, including aiding in any form of academic misconduct

 ^{2 Any reports involving sexual harassment or sexual misconduct behaviors will be referred to the Title IX Support and Compliance Office and collaboratively resolved.}

All team-building activities must be inclusive, equitable, and designed to foster a safe and respectful environment. Activities should promote group cohesion without coercion, exclusion, or harm.

Examples of acceptable team-building activities include, but are on limited to:

• Icebreakers
• Community service projects
• Group outings (e.g., dinners, picnics, escape rooms, museums, parks)
• Fitness and wellness activities (e.g. yoga, hiking, 5Ks, meditation)
• Academic support (e.g., study groups, resume workshops, mock interviews)
• Creative and collaborative projects (e.g., arts & crafts, making t-shirts)
• Charitable initiatives (e.g., clothing, food, or toy drives)
• Inclusive team competitions (e.g., intramural sports)
• Peer mentoring programs

All team-building activities must reflect the institution’s commitment to a hazing-free community.

Groups must objectively review their traditions and rituals to determine if they constitute hazing prohibited by this Policy. While tradition and history may be influential, past practices are not always acceptable and may constitute hazing under modern definitions.

For student groups, the Office of Student Activities and Engagement and the Office of Community Life staff members are available to assist recognized student organizations to assess and modify their rituals and traditions to align with this and other institutional policies.

The full scope of authority of the College to initiate adjudication processes may be found in the following documents:

• For Students: The Student Handbook

Matt’s Law (California Penal Code §245.6) makes hazing a criminal offense in the State of California. Those who commit hazing that does not result in serious bodily injury are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine, imprisonment, or both. Those who commit hazing that results in death or serious bodily injury, are guilty of a misdemeanor or felony punishable by imprisonment. Those who commit hazing may also be held personally liable for civil damages. 

Reports may be submitted using the Hazing Incident Reporting Form.

Incidents of prohibited hazing involving students may also be reported to the Office of Community Life (commlife@stmarys-ca.edu; 925-631-4238). Reports will be addressed through the procedures established in The Student Code of Conduct.

Reports of prohibited hazing involving employees may be directed to Human Resources (hr@stmarys-ca.edu; 925-631-4212).

In all cases, the privacy of individuals reporting hazing will be maintained by the College to the greatest extent possible. Please note that none of the reporting options listed guarantee an immediate response. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact Campus Safety at 925-631-4282. For fire, medical, or police emergencies, call 9-1-1.