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December 4, 2000
College Policy. Hazing is strictly prohibited at Dartmouth College, by both College policy and New Hampshire law. Violation of the student hazing policy may subject an individual or recognized organization or team to disciplinary action. (See: Standards of Conduct I, II, pages 153-154.)
Students and organizations/teams should be mindful of both the New Hampshire legal definition of hazing and Dartmouth's broader hazing definition. In addition to incurring serious College-imposed consequences for violations of Dartmouth policy, students and organizations may be subject to criminal prosecution by legal authorities for violation of the New Hampshire anti-hazing law.
As the state statute makes clear, the College is obliged to report hazing as defined under New Hampshire law to law enforcement officials and to take reasonable measures to prevent hazing. Dartmouth students and employees are required to notify appropriate College officials of any perceived instance of hazing, as defined by College policy and/or New Hampshire law. Reports may be made directly to the Dean of the College Office or to coaches, advisors, class deans, the Department of Safety and Security, or other College officials who have responsibilities for student organizations. Employees receiving such reports must share them with the Dean of the College, who has the responsibility for determining whether alleged behavior appears to meet the New Hampshire definition of hazing and, if so, of reporting alleged incidents to law-enforcement authorities. (Allegations of hazing -- even anonymous allegations -- may also be reported 24-hours-a-day to the Department of Safety and Security by calling 646-2234 or by e-mail. The Department of Safety and Security will share those reports with the Dean of the College.)
Dartmouth Prohibition of Hazing. No student, College employee, College volunteer, student organization, athletic team, or other College-recognized group or association shall conduct or condone hazing activities, "consensual" or not.
Dartmouth Definition of Hazing. Hazing activities are defined as: Any action taken or situation created as part of initiation to or continued membership in a student organization, which 1) produces or could be expected to produce mental or physical discomfort, harm, or stress; embarrassment; harassment; or ridicule; or 2) which violate College policy, fraternal/sororal policy, or law. This applies to behavior on or off College or organization premises. (Hazing does not include actions or situations that are incidental to officially-sanctioned and supervised College activities such as athletic training and events.)
Commentary. Hazing consists of a broad range of behaviors that may place another person in danger of physical or psychological harm or activities that demonstrate disregard for another person's dignity or well-being. Even when demeaning or embarrassing behaviors do not appear overtly harmful in themselves -- as where the participants appear to engage in them willingly -- they may constitute hazing if they are part of an organization's initiation or membership activities and if they might cause humiliation. The determination of whether a particular activity constitutes hazing will depend on the circumstances and context in which that activity is occurring. Some examples of conduct that may constitute hazing, when used to mistreat, intimidate or humiliate the participant, include the following: consumption of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; inappropriate scavenger hunts or road trips; wearing of apparel likely to subject the wearer to embarrassment or ridicule; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; degrading or humiliating games and activities; activities that would unreasonably interfere with students' other activities or obligations (academic, extracurricular, family, religious, etc.); any other activities devoid of legitimate educational value that subject the participant to humiliation; and any such activities that violate College policy, fraternal/sororal policy, or federal, state or local law.
There are, indeed, new-member activities that are positive and educationally valid. However, almost anything that new members are required to do that is not required of more senior members is likely to constitute hazing. Ask yourself if you could satisfactorily explain a questionable activity to your parents, the parents of a fellow-student, a College official, a police officer, or a judge. If you don't think you could, then the activity probably constitutes hazing. When in doubt about an activity, ask a dean or a coach or other College employee who works with student organizations or teams. They can also provide you with additional examples of behaviors that might constitute hazing, examples of positive group-building activities, assistance with organizing legitimate events to foster teamwork and cohesiveness, a list of questions to ask in order to evaluate the appropriateness of activities, and other relevant information and support.
Note: No policy can address, in specific fashion, all possible situations which may take place. When this policy does not address a specific behavior, students and organizations are expected to conduct themselves and their activities in a spirit of social responsibility and respect for others.
New Hampshire Law. [as it currently appears in the Student Handbook]
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