Any form of hazing is prohibited by University policy and Federal and Massachusetts hazing law, each of which is hereby incorporated into this policy. Any violation of the Federal and Massachusetts hazing law, including, without limitation, any failure to report or address hazing by an individual or group, is a violation of this policy, as is any act of hazing as described below. The University will comply with any reporting or disclosures regarding hazing Incidents as may be required by Federal and Massachusetts hazing law, including in its public issuance of a Campus Hazing Transparency Report.
Reporting
Anyone becoming aware of any hazing involving Boston College students must promptly report it to the Dean of Students Office.
Reports can be made online (www.bc.edu/report) or by phone or email (617-552-3470; odsd@bc.edu). In the case of an emergency threat to the safety of any person, immediately contact the Boston College Police Department at 617-552-4444 (emergency) or 911 if you are off campus.
Hazing Definition
Hazing refers to any conduct or abuse of power by a member of a student organization and/or group used against an individual or group of individuals as a condition to affiliate with, hold membership, or join (or to maintain full status in a student organization or group) that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in a student organization or group.
Hazing is a complex social problem that is shaped by power dynamics operating in a group and/or organization and within a particular cultural context. Hazing activities may be physically abusive, hazardous, and/or sexually violating. The specific behaviors or activities within these categories vary widely among participants, groups, and settings. Examples of hazing practices include personal servitude; sleep deprivation; restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing, or insults; being forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one's skin; brandings; physical beatings; binge drinking; drinking games; sexual simulation; and sexual assault.
For activities to be considered hazing, forced or mandated participation is not required; hazing may also involve implied coercion. Behavior may constitute hazing if an individual reasonably feels that he or she will not be considered a fully participating member of the group or that he or she would be ostracized for not participating in the behavior (for example, alcohol use).
Neither the intent of the initiator(s) nor the willingness of the participant(s) will serve as factors in determining responsibility, but may be considered in the application of sanctions.
Student organizations, for the purposes of this policy, are defined as, an organization at Boston College (such as a club, society, association, varsity athletic team, club sports team, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at Boston College, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the University.