Anti-Hazing Policy

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Purpose

Columbia University is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, faculty and staff. Hazing is a threat to that environment and is prohibited by the University.  All students, faculty and staff should be able to participate in student organizations such as clubs, teams, fraternities and sororities, and other student groups without fear of the harm and intimidation that comes with hazing. This Policy aims to prevent hazing, promote the culture of respect and responsibility that is needed for a safe and inclusive environment, and ensure compliance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (“SCHA”) as well as other applicable laws and University policies.

Definitions

Hazing, as defined in the SCHA, is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:

• is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:
  • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
  • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, or Federal law; and
  • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, or Federal law.

As described below, Columbia University prohibits hazing as defined by the SCHA, as a matter of University policy.    

Student organization, for purposes of this Policy, is an organization at Columbia University (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the University. Organizations at affiliated institutions will meet this Policy’s definition of student organization, provided two or more of the members are students enrolled at the University.   

Scope

This Policy applies to all Columbia University students, faculty and staff, and covers conduct that occurs on or off campus, including online activity.

Prohibited Conduct      

The following conduct is prohibited:

• Engaging in or assisting hazing incidents or activities;
• Failing to report hazing incidents or activities when required to do so; and
• Retaliating against individuals who report hazing incidents or activities.

In addition to violating this Policy, such conduct may also violate applicable law and constitute a crime, including under the standards outlined in New York’s Anti-Hazing law, Penal Law Sections 120.16 and 120.17.

Such conduct not only violates this Policy but is also fundamentally inconsistent with the values of integrity, respect, and belonging that guide the University’s educational mission.

Reporting and Investigation

All Columbia University community members are strongly encouraged to report incidents of potential hazing. Columbia University Campus Security Authorities (“CSAs”) are required to report incidents of potential hazing.

To report any incident of potential hazing, please go to the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) website and click on “Report a Concern.”

Reports can be submitted anonymously. However, anonymous reports can limit the University’s ability to investigate and respond. The more information that is provided, the more likely the issue can be fully addressed.

Reports involving students as respondents will be investigated and/or addressed by CSSI under procedures outlined here. Reports involving staff as respondents will be referred to Human Resources (HR) and investigated and/or addressed under applicable policies and procedures.  Reports involving faculty as respondents will be referred to the Office of the Provost, Faculty Affairs, and investigated and/or addressed under applicable policies and procedures. Reports will be additionally referred for consideration to other offices as appropriate, such as Athletics, the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), Residential Life, the Student Group Adjudication Board (SGARB), and so forth, depending on the nature of the incident/activity and the individuals involved.  Information about reports will also be provided to Columbia University Public Safety to enable compliance with the University’s obligations under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.

Once received, the appropriate office will determine whether or not more information would be helpful to determine next steps. The report is then assessed for possible policy violations, and the complainant or reporter is contacted (if their information is provided). Depending on the concern, additional resources or support may be provided and/or an investigation may be initiated. Regardless of whether the report is referred elsewhere or an investigation is initiated, resources are always available for students, staff and faculty.

The individual submitting the report will receive a response confirming that the report has been received and is under review. After the report is reviewed, the appropriate office will proceed to contact the complainant, or in some cases the reporting individual, as soon as possible.  The review and follow-up under the applicable procedures identified above will take place as quickly as possible on any report submitted; the timing of these steps can depend on the specific nature of the concern.  Some reports can be quickly addressed; other reports can take weeks or months to resolve.  Investigations can be very complex and can involve speaking with several parties and witnesses.

As required by SCHA, the Campus Hazing Transparency Report will be posted online, on the Public Safety website. The Report will be updated twice annually.

Sanctions

Depending on the severity of the conduct, individuals or student organizations found responsible for hazing may face a range of disciplinary sanctions as with other violations of University policies.  These include, but are not limited to:

• Students: Disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
• Faculty and staff: Disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• Student organizations or other groups: Suspension or revocation of recognition, including loss of funding and privileges. Sanction of a student organization will be included in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.

Members of student organizations may be held individually responsible for violations, even if the group or organization itself is not formally sanctioned.  Sanctions may also include required participation in educational programs such as those related to hazing prevention, ethical leadership, or restorative practices.

Resources and Supports

The University has published a list with a variety of campus-wide resources for those who have experienced issues such as hazing, harassment, or similar misconduct. 

Confidential support is available through the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), Student Health on Haven, and other designated confidential resources. A full list is maintained on University Life’s website with resources for Emergency Mental Health & Urgent Concerns.

The office handling the matter can provide additional referral, resources, and supports as appropriate, including those offered by the complainant’s school.

Statement of Policy Regarding Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programs

Through the adoption and publication of the Anti-Hazing Policy described above and awareness and prevention programs related to hazing described below, Columbia University seeks to promote community understanding, and intolerance and avoidance of prohibited hazing behaviors.

Columbia University is committed to proactive, research-informed efforts to prevent hazing across its community. The University will implement annual campus-wide prevention and awareness programs that are designed to reach students, faculty, and staff. These efforts will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Primary prevention strategies, such as bystander intervention training, ethical leadership workshops, and inclusive team-building strategies.
• Targeted interventions for high-risk groups (e.g., athletic teams, fraternities/sororities, performing arts).
• Publicly available data regarding hazing findings, consistent with the Campus Hazing Transparency Report requirements of the SCHA.
• Ongoing assessment and adaptation of programs based on evidence and emerging best practices.

These efforts are led by professional staff in University Life and CSSI, in collaboration with Athletics, Residential Life, and other campus partners. The Annual Security Report will contain additional information regarding such programs.