Policy Against Hazing
Hazing of any kind is strictly prohibited at Bowdoin College. It is antithetical to Bowdoin’s mission and to the college experience. No student, student group, Student Organization (as defined below), athletic team, other Bowdoin-affiliated group or association shall conduct, condone, aid, or participate in hazing, including observing or participating as a witness in such activities.
It is important that students, families, faculty, staff, and volunteers are aware that hazing is not only against College policy but may also violate state and/or federal law, such as 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(9) et seq., or 20-A M.R.S.A. §10004. In addition to disciplinary action imposed by the College, students who engage in hazing could find themselves subject to criminal prosecution by legal authorities, or risk personal liability under civil law.
All students are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this Policy. Bowdoin officials, including faculty and staff, are responsible for promoting the understanding of this Policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure compliance.
Scope
This Policy applies to all students, regardless of whether the behavior occurs on- or off-campus and applies regardless of whether participants or others perceive the behavior as “voluntary.”
The apparent consent of any participant, regardless of whether the consent is express or implied, will not relieve any individual or Student Organization (as defined below) from responsibility for their actions that violate this Policy, nor will the assertion that the conduct or activity was “voluntary,” not part of an official event, or was not officially sanctioned or approved by the Student Organization.
Definitions
The following definitions apply to this Policy, and to any other College policies or handbooks, such as the Bowdoin College Student Athlete Handbook or the Club Leader Manual, that prohibit hazing.
“Bowdoin Official” means any faculty member or staff member, including casual employees. For purposes of this Policy, it may also mean a volunteer who is approved by the College to support or advise a Student Organization.
“Student” includes any individual who has enrolled at Bowdoin, including admitted students. Students on leave (including personal, medical, academic, or disciplinary) are considered “enrolled” for purposes of this Policy. Individuals who are visiting or who have applied to Bowdoin, but are not yet admitted, are not considered “enrolled students” for purposes of this Policy.
“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by an individual enrolled student, or group of enrolled students acting together, against an individual or group of people that:
- is committed in the course of, or as a condition of joining, an initiation or admission into, an affiliation with, or maintenance of or continuance of membership in a “Student Organization” (as defined below); and
- causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury that is above the reasonable risk assumed in the ordinary course of participation in or preparation to participate in a Bowdoin program or activity; or
- any activity expected of a student that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers either the student or another member of the Bowdoin community.
This definition is intended to comply with state law prohibiting hazing in post-secondary institutions (20-A M.R.S.A. §10004) and the Stop Campus Hazing Act (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(9) et seq.).
In general, the definition of “hazing” will not include an activity or event that is (1) required and supervised by a Bowdoin Official (as defined above), and (2) conducted in the ordinary course of preparing to or actually participating in a Bowdoin program or activity. For example, mandatory practice sessions or pre-season conditioning. However, this does not apply to student-organized events, such as captains’ practices, when no Bowdoin Official is present.
“Student Organization” means a group or organization with two or more enrolled student members, regardless of whether the group or organization is officially established or recognized or funded by Bowdoin. Examples may include, but are not limited to, student clubs (with or without a charter), societies, associations, organizations, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, student government, or student-run media publications or organizations.
Reporting Concerns
Anyone with a concern about hazing or suspected hazing is strongly encouraged to make a report. Reports may be made in one of the following ways:
- Hazing Reporting form;
- CARE Team form;
- Office of Safety and Security (207-725-3500) or Brunswick Police (911);
- College administrator, Student Affairs professional, coach or other athletics professional, or other College officials who have responsibilities for student groups.
Investigations and Possible Sanctions
Reports of hazing will be investigated in accordance with the disciplinary process as outlined by the Student Code of Community Standards. The investigation may result in a referral to individual discipline or Group Disciplinary process. An incident of alleged hazing that involves sexual misconduct may also be investigated in accordance with Bowdoin’s Title IX Policy. An incident of alleged hazing that involves discrimination or harassment based on a protected class status may also be investigated in accordance with Bowdoin’s Student Freedom from Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
Students found responsible for violations may be suspended or permanently dismissed from the College. Group disciplinary consequences may include, but are not limited to, revocation of organizational recognition and funding; forfeiture of participation in some or all of an athletic season, participation in contests, conferences, or other gatherings; and permanent disbandment of a student group or team for College-recognized groups, clubs, organization, and athletic teams.
Examples of Possible Hazing
Students are encouraged to educate themselves about what actions may constitute hazing, including viewing educational resources. The following list is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a range of activities or situations may constitute “hazing” or other behavior that may exceed “reasonable risk”:
Humiliation, degradation, and other forms of mental or psychological abuse or harm:
- Physically or psychologically embarrasses, demeans, degrades, abuses, or endangers someone regardless of that person’s willingness to participate;
- Activities, such as a theme party, that depicts and /or perpetuates a stereotype or stigma associated with a particular race, culture, gender, or religion, whether or not participants are required to wear costumes;
- Exploiting or highlighting power imbalances between established and newer members;
- Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or humiliating games or acts;
- “Mind games” or creating real or perceived psychological uneasiness or harm;
- Encouraging or requiring public acts that result in or designed to cause humiliation;
- Encouraging or requiring the wearing or carrying of apparel or items likely to subject the wearer to embarrassment, ridicule, or harm;
- Servitude such as encouraging or requiring a person to run personal errands, cook, clean, etc.;
- Requiring a shaved head or other haircut;
Physical abuse or harm:
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone's body, or similar activity;
- Purposefully stranding a person in an outlying or other secluded area with no means of communication or transportation;
- Causing, coercing, requiring, or inducing:
- Consumption or excessive consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
- Sexual acts (see also the Bowdoin College Title IX Policy); indecent exposure, or photographing or videoing the same;
- Sleep deprivation,
- Exposure to the elements;
- Confinement in a small space;
- Extreme, excessive, or prolonged exercise or other similar activity;
- Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
- Branding, tattooing, or other body markings;
Disruption or violations of College policy or laws
- Encourages or results in the disruption of College or community activities, the educational process, the impairment of an individual’s academic performance, or violation of other College policies;
- Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, or federal law, such as shoplifting or trespass;
- Any activity that requires or results in the removal, damage, or destruction of College, private, or public property.