Summary
Montreat College is committed to fostering a Christ-centered learning community rooted in dignity, respect, accountability, and care for one another. Hazing undermines these values and threatens the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of students. As such, hazing in any form is strictly prohibited at Montreat College.
This Anti-Hazing Policy establishes clear expectations, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, prevention strategies, and transparency requirements, in compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) and applicable federal and state law (N.C. Gen. Statute § 14-35).
Scope
This policy applies to all students and student organizations, whether recognized or unrecognized, and regardless of location. It includes, but is not limited to:
- Registered student organizations
- Athletic teams (varsity, junior varsity, club sports)
- Music and performance groups
- Student government associations
- Informal groups or associations
The policy applies on and off campus, whenever the behavior is associated with initiation, affiliation, or continued membership in a student organization.
Policy
Montreat College Student Handbook states:
Hazing
Any action (verbal or physical) taken or situation created for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a means of maintaining continued membership or favor in a group or organization that endangers a reasonable person’s psychological, emotional, or physical well-being is prohibited regardless of a person’s expressed or implied consent to the action(s) taken and/or situation(s) created.
Definition of Hazing
The term ‘hazing’, for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents…means 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.
Definition of an Organization
A student organization is defined as an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
Reporting Hazing
Hazing may be reported through one or more of the following:
- Student Complaint Form (preferred method, students only)
- Office of Student Life | Dean of Students
- Campus Safety
- Residence Life | Residence Directors
- Emergency Services (911) when immediate danger exists
Reports may be submitted anonymously, though anonymous reports may limit the College’s ability to investigate fully. Anonymous reports can be directed to the Dean of Students or studentlife@montreat.edu.
Investigation and Disciplinary Process
- All hazing reports are received by the Office of Student
- An investigation is initiated promptly and conducted in accordance with institutional conduct
- Investigations may involve interviews, document review, and collaboration with Athletics or student organizations as appropriate.
- If an organization is found responsible, the organization advisor will receive a written notice of the findings and any sanctions imposed.
- Individuals and organizations retain applicable appeal rights under the Student Conduct
Sanctions
Sanctions for hazing may include, but are not limited to:
- Individual student conduct sanctions
- Disciplinary Probation
- Community Service
- Educational or restorative requirements
- Organization conduct sanctions
- Loss of organizational privileges
- Probation, suspension, or removal of recognition
- Referral to law enforcement when required
Retaliation Prohibited
Montreat College strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports hazing or participates in an investigation in good faith. Retaliation will be treated as a separate policy violation and addressed accordingly.
Hazing Prevention, Awareness, and Education
Montreat College is committed to the prevention of hazing and will implement research-informed, campus-wide education efforts, including:
- Required hazing prevention training for student organizations, coaches, and club advisors
- Bystander intervention education
- Ongoing communication regarding hazing risks, reporting options, and expectations
Transparency and Reporting Requirements
In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA):
- Hazing incidents meeting Clery Act criteria will be included in the Annual Security Report (ASR) for the previous year.
- Montreat College will publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report summarizing findings of responsibility for hazing violations involving student No report will be published if there are no hazing violations.
- The Transparency Report will be updated at least twice annually and will not include personally identifiable information.