Tompkins Cortland Community College prohibits all students, student organizations, staff, faculty, visitors, licensees, and other guests from engaging in hazing.
View the full Board Policy on Anti-Hazing
The term ‘hazing’ is defined 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 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, Tribal, 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, Tribal, or Federal law.”
For the purpose of this policy, a student organization is defined as “an organization at Tompkins Cortland Community College (such as a club, society, association, athletic team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the college, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the college.”
Where there is probable cause to believe the above regulation has been violated, the College will investigate and pursue strong disciplinary action through its established procedures including the student conduct process. This discipline includes the possibility of suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate disciplinary action, and in the case of an organization authorizing such conduct, rescission of permission for that organization to operate on College property. Such penalties shall be in addition to any penalty pursuant to the penal law or any other law to which a violator or organization may be subject. An individual charged with a criminal violation or crime under state, federal, tribal or local law related to conduct prohibited above will be subject to the college disciplinary procedures, whether or not criminal prosecution is pending.
This rule shall be deemed to be part of the by-laws of all organizations operating on the College campus or affiliated with Tompkins Cortland. Each such organization shall annually file a copy of current by-laws for review by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his or her designee.
The constitution of all recognized student organizations will contain a statement prohibiting hazing and all new students will be made aware of the college position relative to hazing.
Individuals or organizations involved in hazing practices shall be subject to college disciplinary procedures, as well as to applicable local, state, or federal laws.
The Board of Trustees of Tompkins Cortland Community College authorizes the President of the college, or their delegates, to develop additional reasonable processes and procedures to administer this policy.
Location of Hazing Incident and Reporting Requirements
Any incident meeting the definition of hazing in this Policy must be reported following the procedure of this Policy that follows immediately below. Hazing that occurs at any of the following locations is subject to reporting under this Policy: anywhere on campus, in on-campus student housing, on public property within the boundaries of the campus, on public property immediately adjacent to the campus, and in non-campus buildings and property owned or controlled by the organization that are used for educational purposes and frequently used by students, but not a part of the core campus, or those owned or controlled by a student organization officially recognized by the institution. In addition, hazing that meets the definitions of this policy that occurs anywhere and involves
individuals who are subject to and/or protected by this policy must be reported, as described below.
How to Report
Any incidents of suspected hazing can be reported through the campus Report an Incident as a Conduct Incident. These reports can be submitted anonymously; all reports will be investigated. Incidents can also be reported to Campus Police in room 118 or at 607.844.6511.
Depending on the nature of the incident, reports to other offices may be required, such as offices that deal with Clery Act hate crimes, Title VI or Title IX violations, VAWA crimes, state or tribal hazing law violations.
The College's Response to Hazing Reports
The process by which investigations will be conducted and a determination made as to whether this policy has been violated is described in the student conduct process: Student Rights & Responsibilities: Non-Academic Code of Conduct Process
Investigations that do not result in a finding of formal violations of the Code of Conduct or state or federal law shall not be included in the college’s Clery report. The report shall not include any personal or identifying information of individual student members and shall be subject to the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, U.S.C. Sec. 1232g.
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report
We will provide a biennial report of all hazing incidents. The first report will be published here by December 23, 2025. Campus Hazing Statistics will also be reported in the Annual Security Report beginning in 2026. The report will include:
- The name of the student organization;
- A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility;
- and Related dates (the date of the alleged incident, the date of the initiation of the investigation, the date the investigation ended with a finding, and the date the institution provided notice to the organization of the finding).
Prevention and Awareness Programs
All employees and students will participate in research-informed and evidence-based online training. This training is based on resources provided by Stop Hazing. The program includes primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before it occurs and focuses on strategies to:
- overcome barriers to reporting hazing
- develop skill building for bystander intervention for preventing and responding to hazing
- develop a campus-wide effort for faculty, staff and students to identify warning signs of hazing, understand how to report hazing, and how to take steps to respond to and prevent hazing
- focus on ethical leadership strategies to give students and staff tools to build group cohesion to discourage hazing
The institution has updated campus education programs to include hazing
Who must attend
- Campus Security Authorities
- Officers of recognized student organizations
- Officers of student government
- Residence Hall Staff
- Campus police or public safety officers
- Coaches of intercollegiate athletic teams
All student athletes, club leaders, coaches and club advisors will participate in in-person training including the We Don’t Haze video and discussion guide.
Federal, State [and Tribal] Laws that are Relevant to Hazing on Campus
The federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, enacted on December 23, 2024, (20 U.S.C. §1092(f)), amended the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act by adding certain
provisions regarding hazing. The laws of the State of New York also define hazing and provide for civil and criminal sanctions for individuals who engage in hazing.