Hazing Policy
Hazing is not permitted per the Student Code of Conduct and Ohio State Law. The State of Ohio defines hazing as doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation to any student that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person. No person shall participate in the hazing of another or knowingly permit others to do so (2307.44 – Hazing Civil Liability, 2903.31 – Hazing)
No organization, student, alumnus, or visitor to campus shall conduct hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as: “Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off organization premises, for the purpose of or that is likely to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.” Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol and/or drugs; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue, including sleep deprivation; physical and psychological shocks; the deprivation of food and/or water; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any such activities carried on outside or inside the confines of the organization’s house or any campus building(s); kidnapping of any sort, whether by initiated members or pledges; wearing of public apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities that are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of Marietta College, or applicable state law.
Policy Enforcement
Violation of the Hazing policy is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, Marietta College policy and state law. Suspected violations of this policy should be referred and reported to the Associate Dean of Students/Director of Campus Involvement, (740) 376-4784 and/or the Marietta College Police Department, (740) 376-3333. In emergency situations call 911.
It is not a defense to violation of this policy to claim that:
- participant consent was obtained;
- participant injury was not a result of participation in a recognized, sanctioned or approved event or activity;
- participant injury was unintentional; or
- participant injury was minimal.
If an individual member or student organization is reported or suspected to be conducting or supporting hazing activities, they will be taken through the appropriate organization or individual student conduct process, and may be given sanctions from the Office of Campus Involvement and/or the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities.