Purpose
This procedure establishes the processes for reporting, investigating, responding to, and documenting incidents of hazing; providing hazing prevention education; and publishing the Campus Hazing Transparency Report in accordance with the WCC Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Code Policy 4095 and applicable federal and state law.
Scope
This procedure applies to all WCC students, student organizations (official or unofficial), faculty, staff, and volunteers. It applies to activities occurring on or off campus, including those at sponsored events or programs.
Related Policies and Laws
- WCC Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Code Policy 4095
- Stop Campus Hazing Act
- Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act)
- Michigan Garrett's Law (MCL 750.411t)
I. Definitions
Hazing: WCC’s Student Code of Conduct defines hazing as 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 person or persons to participate that:
- Is committed in the course of initiation into, in affiliation with, in the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
- Causes or creates risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation
in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as physical preparation
necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury
including;
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing 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 similar activity;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol 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, Tribal, or Federal law.
This definition is intended to be consistent with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (20 U.S.C. §1092(f)(6)(A)).
Hazing is also a crime in the State of Michigan pursuant to the law commonly known as "Garrett's Law," which is codified at MCL750.411t.
Student Organization: Student Organization refers to any WCC affiliated or non-affiliated group in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at WCC whether or not the group is recognized by WCC.
II. Responsibilities
- Students, Employees, and Volunteers: Members of the College community should promptly report suspected hazing.
- Dean of Students: The Dean of Students, or designee, is responsible for coordinating investigations involving students and student organizations and for administering the student conduct process. The Dean of Students is also responsible for coordinating publication of the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.
- Human Resources: Human Resources is responsible for coordinating investigations involving employees when appropriate.
- Department of Public Safety: The Department of Public Safety will respond to emergencies, assist with investigations when appropriate, and coordinate with law enforcement as necessary. The Department of Public Safety is also responsible for maintaining hazing statistics required under the Clery Act.
III. Reporting Hazing
Washtenaw Community College encourages all members of the campus community to report any suspected incidents of hazing. Reports may be submitted by any individual, including those not directly involved in the incident. Prompt reporting allows the College to take appropriate action to protect students and uphold community standards.
How to Report
- Emergencies: If a situation poses an immediate threat to health or safety, contact the WCC Department of Public Safety at 734-973-3411 or dial 911.
- Online: Use the online WCC Report a Concern Form. You can also use this form to submit an anonymous report.
- In Person or by Phone: Contact the Dean of Students Office at 734-973-3328 or visit SC275 at the Student Center.
All reports are taken seriously. Retaliation against any person who, in good faith, reports hazing or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
IV. Investigation Of Hazing Incidents
Upon receipt of a report of hazing, the Dean of Students or other appropriate administrative office will review the report and, when warranted conduct a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation in accordance with applicable student conduct, employee conduct, or organizational policies. In the case of students, the WCC Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Code Policy 4095, and its related procedures, will be followed. Hazing investigations generally include the following steps:
- Preliminary Review: The Dean of Students, in consultation and collaboration with relevant offices (e.g., Title IX, Human Resources, WCC DPS), will review the report to determine if the allegations meet the definition of hazing and merit formal investigation.
- Interim Protective Measures: Interim protective measures may be implemented during an investigation when necessary
to protect the safety of individuals or the campus community. Interim protective measures
are administrative actions and are not disciplinary sanctions. Such measures may include:
- No-contact directives
- Suspension of activities
- Organizational restrictions
- Removal from leadership
- Other appropriate protective measures
- Notification: If an investigation proceeds, involved parties (including the respondent students, employees, or organizations) will be notified in writing of the alleged policy violation and provided with information about their rights and the process.
- Investigation: Investigators will conduct interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses,
and collect any relevant documentation or physical evidence.
- The College will maintain confidentiality to the extent permitted by law while conducting a thorough investigation.
- Determination: Based on a preponderance of the evidence (i.e., more likely than not), the College
will determine whether a policy violation has occurred.
If the College determines that a violation has occured, the matter will be referred to the appropriate administrative office for disciplinary action consistent with applicable College policies and procedures.
- The College is committed to completing hazing investigations in a timely manner, barring extenuating circumstances, and in a manner that complies with any due process requirements.
V. Sanctions And Remedies
Individuals and student organizations found responsible for hazing may be subject to educational, restorative, or administrative sanctions, including probation, suspension, loss or revocation of organizational recognition, restrictions on activities, educational requirements, expulsion, or other sanctions authorized under the WCC Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Code Policy 4095.
College disciplinary proceedings are independent of any criminal investigation or prosecution and may proceed regardless of whether criminal charges are filed or resolved.
Additionally, under Michigan’s Garrett’s Law, individuals involved in hazing may also be subject to criminal penalties, including misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the severity of the conduct.
VI. Campus Wide Hazing Prevention And Education Program
Washtenaw Community College will provide research-informed campus-wide hazing prevention programs designed to reach students, staff, and faculty. These programs will include:
- Skill building for bystander intervention.
- Education regarding recognizing behaviors that constitute hazing, including those that may be normalized within organizations.
- Information about WCC’s current policies relating to hazing, and the process used to investigate such incidents of hazing, and information on applicable local, State, Tribal, and Federal laws on hazing.
- Promotion of strategies for building group cohesion without hazing.
- Prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before it occurs.
VII. Campus Hazing And Transparency Report
The College will publish, in a prominent location on its website, no less than two times each year, a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. This report will minimally summarize findings concerning any student organization found responsible for violating the WCC Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Code Policy 4095 through acts of hazing.
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will include:
- The name of the student organization.
- Description of the incident, including whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs.
- Date of occurrence.
- Date that the investigation was initiated.
- Date that the investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred.
- Date that the findings were reported to the student organization.
Campus Hazing Transparency Reports will remain publicly available on the College's website for at least five years.
The Campus Hazing and Transparency Report will also include a link to the Annual Security Report, which will include hazing statistics for the College.
VIII. Record Retention
Records related to hazing reports and investigations will be maintained in accordance with the College’s records retention schedule and applicable law.