Hazing Resources & Prevention

Hazing: 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.

Student Organization: Any organization, team, club, society, association, or group operating under the sanction of, or recognized as an organization by, Forsyth Tech.

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 14-35 (Hazing; definition and punishment), “(a) it is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class A1 misdemeanor. (b) It is unlawful for any school personnel, including, but not limited to, a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach, at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing or to aid or abet any other person in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class I felony. (c) For the purposes of this section, hazing is defined as subjecting a student to physical or serious psychological injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group.”

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 14-38 (Witnesses in hazing trials; no indictment to be founded on self-criminating testimony), “in all trials for the offense of hazing any student or other person subpoenaed as a witness in behalf of the State shall be required to testify if called upon to do so: Provided, however, that no student or other person so testifying shall be amendable or subject to indictment on account of, or by reason of, such testimony.”

Forsyth Tech strongly encourages all members of the campus community who believe they have witnessed, experienced, or are aware of conduct that violates this Policy to report the violation to the Campus Police Department and Office of Student and Employee Advocacy. This Policy and reports made pursuant to this Policy do not supersede or replace other reporting obligations mandated by law or Forsyth Tech policy (e.g., Title IX Policy).

Reported allegations of hazing will be investigated by the Office of Student and Employee Advocacy, or other appropriate investigating agencies, and, if violations are found, individuals and organizations will be held accountable by Forsyth Tech.

Violations may result in disciplinary actions for individuals or organizations, which can include, but are not limited to, written warnings, probation, fines, loss of privileges, loss of recognition, mandatory training or education, suspension, expulsion, and/or termination. Such penalties shall be in addition to any other penalties imposed for violating state criminal law or any other Forsyth Tech code or policy.

Forsyth Tech will develop and maintain a Campus Hazing Transparency Report summarizing findings concerning any established or recognized student organization found to be in violation of this Policy. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report must include each incident involving a student organization for which a finding of responsibility is issued relating to a hazing violation, including:

• The name of such student organization;
• A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility, including:
  • Whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs,
  • The findings of the institution, and
  • Any sanctions placed on the student organization by the institution, as applicable; and
• The dates on which:
  • The incident was alleged to have occurred,
  • The investigation into the incident was initiated,
  • The investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred, and
  • The institution provided notice to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation.

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report must not include personally identifiable information. Forsyth Tech will update the Campus Hazing Transparency Report biannually on December 1^st and June 1^st of each year and will publish the Report on the Forsyth Tech “Hazing Resources & Prevention” webpage.

Forsyth Tech will maintain a report of all violations of this Policy, or of Federal or State laws related to hazing that are reported to the College for the seven (7) previous consecutive years.

The College’s ability to investigate reports and enforce its policies depends on the accuracy and specificity of the information provided. You are encouraged to provide as much specific detail as possible so that appropriate action can be taken to address the reported behavior. As a starting point, we recommend including the following:

• Who: names of people and/or organizations involved
• When: dates and times that you can recall
• Where: location of the incident(s) (please be as specific as possible, including addresses, houses, areas of campus, etc.)
• What: a specific description of what you observed or experienced and any supporting documentation you would like to share, such as pictures, videos, emails, or text messages.

Hazing is illegal in North Carolina under the law commonly known as “Harrison’s Law,” which can be found here.

Under the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, hazing is now a Clery reportable crime. Additionally, this act defines hazing and requires institutions to provide information on reporting hazing and investigation processes in the Annual Security Report, comprehensive hazing prevention programming, and Campus Hazing Transparency Reports to the campus.

Te Ofce of Student and Employee Advocacy (OSEA) is responsible for helping to provide a safe learning environment in partnership
with various campus departments. OSEA encourages students to be engaged in their overall development by proactively providing
information to the campus community. OSEA meets with students to address potential violations of the Code of Student Conduct
and encourages students to be ethical, independent, and well-rounded individuals. OSEA provides education on the value of active
listening, diverse learning, and personal accountability to promote overall student success. The Office of Student and Employee Advocacy is located in Room 2416 of the Robert L. Strickland Center on Main Campus and can be contacted by dialing (336) 757-3431.

Counseling Services are available to all students attending Forsyth Tech and are staffed with trained clinicians who are compassionate and willing to help explore concerns and develop ideas for effectively dealing with a difficult situation. For more information, please visit the Counseling Services webpage here. Counseling Services can be reached at (336) 734-3629 or by emailing counselingservices@forsythtech.edu.

The mission of the Shugart Women’s Center is to support and enhance the academic, professional, and personal development of all women and individuals who identify as women. The Shugart Women’s Center is committed to promoting equitable opportunities in an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment that values and celebrates the diversity of all women, regardless of race, color, ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. For more information, please visit the Shugart Women’s Center webpage here. The Shugart Women’s Center can be reached at (336) 734-7280 or by emailing swc@forsythtech.edu.

The mission of StopHazing is to promote safe school, campus, and organizational climates through research, information sharing, and the development of data-driven strategies for hazing prevention. StopHazing advocates for the needs of students and is calling on one another to report hazing. Despite the illegalization of hazing and the implementation of anti-hazing efforts on school campuses across the U.S., these high risk and oftentimes life-threatening practices continue not only in Greek life and among various sports teams, but also in marching bands, military groups, and honor societies. Students commonly perceive these initiation rituals as harmless fun and group-bonding exercises; however, they can progress to downright dangerous behaviors that may even result in fatalities. Check out StopHazing resources on their website.