Hazing Prevention & Reporting

The following information is taken from the Concord University Student Handbook.

HAZING POLICY

 Concord University prohibits all forms of hazing, as defined by West Virginia Code §18-16, Stop Campus Hazing Act, and the Student Code of Conduct. Hazing is strictly forbidden in connection with any student organization, athletic team, club, group, or individual student activity, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.

All students, employees, student organizations, and affiliated groups are responsible for preventing hazing and for reporting suspected incidents to the Chief Student Affairs Officer/Dean of Students.

Concord University will respond promptly to all reports of hazing. Reports will be reviewed, investigated, and adjudicated according to the University’s Hazing Reporting Procedure and the Student Code of Conduct. Cases involving hazing are referred to the University Hearing Board for a formal hearing.

Individuals and organizations found responsible for hazing are subject to disciplinary action, which may include probation, suspension, removal of organizational recognition, or other sanctions deemed appropriate. Hazing involving recognized organizations will be included in the University’s Campus Hazing Transparency Report.

Retaliation for reporting hazing or participating in an investigation is strictly prohibited.

HAZING REPORTING PROCEDURE

    1. Purpose: This procedure provides guidance for reporting, investigating, and adjudicating suspected hazing in compliance with West Virginia Code §18-16, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, and the Concord University Student Code of Conduct. It supports a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment
    2. Who May Report Hazing: Anyone may report suspected hazing, including: Students, Faculty, Staff, Advisors, Coaches, Alumni, Parents, Community Members, and/or Anonymous Reporters. Concord University employees are expected to report suspected hazing incidents to the Dean of Students immediately.
    3. What Should Be Reported: Report any actions or situations that may:
      • Endanger mental or physical health or safety
      • Be required for initiation, affiliation, or continued membership in a student organization
      • Include forced behaviors, humiliation, sleep deprivation, substance use, or unsafe physical tasks
      • Include destruction of property as part of group activities
        Reasonable suspicion is sufficient; proof is not required.
    4. How to Report Hazing: All reports go directly to the Chief Student Affairs Officer / Dean of Students via:
      • Online reporting form on the Student Affairs webpage (can be anonymous).
      • Email or phone to the Dean of Students.
      • In-person meeting with the Dean of Students.
      • Emergency situations (immediate danger, injury, or threats) should also be reported to Campus Police / 911.
    5. Initial Response: Upon receiving a report, the Dean of Students will:
      • Review the report.
      • Conduct a safety assessment and implement interim measures if necessary, such as:
        • No-contact orders
        • Activity suspension for student organizations
        • Temporary housing or class adjustments
      • Determine whether the allegations meet the definition of hazing under WV law and the Student Code of Conduct.
    6. Investigation and Adjudication Process:
      1. The Dean of Students conducts a thorough investigation, including:
        • Interviews with students, witnesses, and advisors
        • Collection of messages, photos, and organizational records
        • Documentation of all evidence in a secure, confidential manner
      2. If sufficient evidence of hazing is found, the Dean of Students prepares an adjudication report, which includes:
        • Summary of allegations
        • Evidence collected
        • Parties involved
      3. The adjudication report is submitted to the University Steering Committee, which forwards the case to the University Hearing Board.
      4. The University Hearing Board conducts the formal hearing, determines responsibility, and assigns sanctions in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
      5. If criminal conduct is suspected, the Dean of Students coordinates with Campus Police for any parallel investigation.
  1. Sanctions and Transparency
    • The University Hearing Board determines sanctions for students and/or organizations found responsible.
    • Findings against recognized student organizations are included in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, as required by law.
    • Individual-only violations (not involving a recognized organization) are tracked internally but are not publicly reported.
  2. Support and Resources: The Dean of Students provides:
    • Guidance and support to affected students
    • Referrals to counseling or medical services
    • Education and prevention resources
  3. Protection from Retaliation: Retaliation against anyone reporting hazing or participating in an investigation is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
  4. Annual Education
    • Annual hazing prevention education is provided to all student organizations.
    • Advisors and campus staff are trained on recognizing and responding to hazing.
    • The Campus Hazing Transparency Report is published in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

STATE REGULATIONS STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW

The following are partially excerpted State Regulations enforced by Concord University Public Safety and University Police (CUPD). The citations are not intended to be exhaustive.

Any person who causes hazing is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, or confined in jail for not more than nine months, or both fined and confined.

ARTICLE III DEFINITIONS

The following terms are referenced in the Student Code of Conduct and are defined as follows:

  • 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; and
    2. 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 injuryIncluding:
      • 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.”

ARTICLE IV VIOLATIONS

The following constitutes behaviors that are considered violations of the Student Code of Conduct. In addition to the listed violations, violations of the Concord University Board of Governors’ policies may be considered as part of the student’s conduct record, as well as violations of an academic nature, as stipulated in the most current edition of the Academic Catalog.

  • Hazing: Any group, person, or persons in a group who engage in hazing as defined in Article III Section 8 shall be found in violation of this section. All suspected hazing must be reported to the Dean of Students, who investigates and, if evidence is found, prepares an adjudication report. Hazing cases are referred to the University Hearing Board for a formal hearing and determination. Sanctions may include probation, suspension, loss of organizational recognition, or other disciplinary action.