HFC Hazing Policy
THIS POLICY IS CURRENTLY BEING REVIEWED BY THE POLICY COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
I. Policy Title Henry Ford College Hazing policy
II. Who Does This Policy Affect
All HFC faculty, staff, students, vendors/contractors and visitors to our campus
III. Purpose
Henry Ford College (the “College”) is concerned about the emotional, psychological, and physical health and well-being of its students and expects all students to be treated with equal care, concern, honor and dignity.
Any form of hazing is unacceptable and is in direct conflict with the College’s Mission, Vision, and Values and the rights and dignity of students, all of whom have the right to belong to groups without undergoing hazing or any risks of physical or emotional injury or humiliation as a right of entry to a student organization/group/team. Consent to hazing is never a defense to a violation of this policy.
IV. Policy Statement
The College transforms lives and builds better futures by providing outstanding education. As a student-centered, evidence-based college, our success is measured by the success of our students. We empower learners through the development of independent, critical and creative thinking, and we foster diversity, inclusion, understanding, and acceptance to prepare learners to succeed in a global society. We anticipate and respond to the needs of our stakeholders, exceed their expectations and serve the public good. https://www.hfcc.edu/about/mission.
Participation in hazing activities is against the law. Violation of the College’s hazing policy, whether on or off campus, may subject participants, including students and organizations, to arrest, prosecution and/or disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion of students and the revocation of an organization’s registration and/or recognition at the College. Consent to or acquiescence in hazing activity is not a defense.
The College strictly prohibits participation in hazing activities by any party, regardless of the existence of consent. Hazing activities do not contribute to the positive development or welfare of students. Henry Ford College recognizes the act of hazing as illegal, irresponsible, intolerable and inconsistent with the principles of higher education and basic human development.
Accordingly, this policy strictly prohibits participation in hazing activities by all parties. This policy includes a summary of the provisions of the law as it relates to hazing.
How to Report Hazing
In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, this policy links all relevant policies and procedures together in a single location. Complaints about hazing should be reported through the following link: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?HenryFordCC&layout_id=10
Alleged violations of this policy will result in a College investigation, conduct action including suspension or expulsion, and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Any retaliation against any person who reports, is a witness to, is involved with, or cooperates with the adjudication of hazing is strictly prohibited. If hazing occurs within a student organization/group/team, it will be presumed the officers of said organization, group or team condone such activities. Conduct action may be taken against the leadership and officers of the student organization/group/team, as well as against the student organization/group/team itself.
Students and/or student organizations/groups/teams charged and found responsible with a violation of the Hazing Policy can receive a sanction ranging from conduct probation to conduct expulsion. Please refer to the College’s Student Code of Conduct Due Process Procedure for more information regarding the College’s administrative conduct process. https://policies.hfcc.edu/policy/student-conduct-due-process
How Hazing is Investigated
The procedure for investigating a hazing incident will following the Colleges Student Code of Conduct Procedures. The procedures are available at the following link: Shttps://policies.hfcc.edu/policy/student-conduct-due-process
Hazing Prevention, Campus Resources and Off Campus Resources
Hazing Prevention
The first step in preventing hazing is recognizing the existence of hazing and understanding the type of activities that may be considered hazing. However, it is also equally important to understand why people haze and consider alternative practices to replace hazing.
Why Do People Haze?
Individuals and organizations engage in hazing activities for many reasons. Some may engage in hazing activities with malicious intent because they enjoy the power they exert over younger members. Others may seek positive outcomes for hazing activities, such as team building and group development. And while ignorance is never an excuse, individuals may not even be aware that they are engaging in a certain behavior or activity that could be considered hazing.
Alternatives to Hazing
Introducing new members to a group is a process that can create powerful group chemistry and develop high levels of motivation for new members from their very first experience to a group’s culture. Many groups with long traditions of initiation practices that have involved hazing struggle with what they perceive as an unclear definition of “hazing.” They are also often reluctant to give up traditions that feel definitional to the group’s culture. The purpose here is to clearly define some examples of healthful rites of initiation that serve all of the ultimate goals of initiation, but do so in ways that are consistent with the College’s educational and developmental philosophies.
The most effective way to inspire people is to follow the principles that underlay intrinsic motivation. Hazing rituals are generally about extrinsic motivation, including external reward or punishment associated with performing a particular act. Intrinsic motivation is optimal when a group’s culture emphasizes four things: connectedness, autonomy, purpose, and mastery. Therefore, in very broad terms, healthy rites…
• deepen authentic connection by developing appreciation and respect for difference, exploring personal histories, understanding personality styles, and creating the empathy that usually accompanies human relationships that dig beneath the surface of the Georgetown introduction (name, hometown, major, year)
• provide the opportunity for participants to exercise a degree of choice and respected input so they know their voices are heard and their opinions are valued
• have transparent goals that are clear from the beginning in their purpose and place in the group’s cultural rites and rituals
• offer the chance for personal growth and exploration of one’s margins of intellectual or cultural comfort or experience
Examples of Alternatives
- Teambuilding Activities (can be facilitated by your new member educator or a campus professional - there are literally hundreds of these activities that you could use)
- Volunteer at a local festival together
- Participate in and/or plan a Community Service Project
- Plan a New Member Surprise Party hosted by members
- Arts and Crafts for a Cause
- Dinner and a Movie
- Come up with something new that is relevant to your mission and cause as a group
Report Hazing
Students
Hazing prevention education is required for all incoming students to complete during their orientation. https://stophazing.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Student-Hazing-Prevent...
Employees
Hazing prevention education is required for all employees who receive wages from the institution and are in direct ongoing contact with students in a supervisory role or position of authority. Hazing prevention training is available through NeoEd at the following link.
https://login.neoed.com/signin?siteCode=LMS&returnUrl=%2F
The College will investigate all reports of hazing behavior, including those reported anonymously.
Even if an individual voluntarily allowed themselves to be hazed, the hazing is still prohibited. Consent to being hazed is never an excuse under College policy or the state law in Michigan against hazing.
Campus Resources
Counseling https://www.hfcc.edu/student-services/counseling
Student Outreach and Support (SOS) Office https://www.hfcc.edu/student-services/counseling/sos
Campus Safety https://www.hfcc.edu/campus-safety
Campus Safety Safe Walk Program https://www.hfcc.edu/campus-safety/safe-walk
Off Campus Resources
Hazing Prevention Network https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/
The Stop Campus Hazing Act: What You Need to Know https://www.clerycenter.org/scha-what-you-need-to-know
StopHazing | Leading Resource for Hazing Research and Prevention https://stophazing.org/
V. Definitions
Educational institution: A public or private school that is a middle school, junior high school, high school, vocational school, college, or university located in this state.
Hazing: 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:
(1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and
(2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the College or the organization, of physical or psychologic injury.
Hazing includes any of the following that is done for such a purpose:
(i) Physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
(ii) Physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, or calisthenics, that subjects the other person to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
(iii) Activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
(iv) Activity that induces, causes, or requires an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing.
VI. Responsible Party for Policy Interpretation/Review
Vice President of Student Affairs
Manager of Campus Safety (for Clery Reporting)
Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
VII. Related Documents
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5646
Text - H.R.5646 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5646/text
The Michigan Penal Code Act 328 of 1931 mcl-750-411t.pdf (also known as “Garret’s law”) https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-750-411t.pdf
The Stop Campus Hazing Act: What You Need to Know https://www.clerycenter.org/scha-what-you-need-to-know
Hazing Awareness and Prevention (Faculty and Staff) – This is in the onboard website NeoEd through HR
VIII. Policy History:
a. Adopted by Board:__________
This policy supersedes and replaces any and all policies related to this subject