Campus Hazing
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), enacted on December 23, 2024, amends the Clery Act to prioritize the prevention of and transparency about hazing incidents at colleges and universities.
PURPOSE
In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), Lake Area Technical College is committed to preventing hazing and ensuring transparency in campus life. This policy outlines definitions, reporting procedures and disciplinary actions related to hazing in compliance with federal law.
POLICY STATEMENT
Lake Area Tech strictly prohibits hazing in any form. Hazing is a violation of the College Conduct Policy, found in the Student Handbook under the Admissions and Academic Information on Your Right to Know webpage. Any student or student organization found responsible for engaging in hazing may be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to: warning, probation, suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement.
REPORTING HAZING
Any individual who witnesses, experiences or becomes aware of a hazing incident is required to report the incident to one of the following: Dean of Student Services, Director of Enrollment or Vice President.
ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT
Lake Area Tech’s annual, “Security and Fire Safety Report,” can be viewed under Health and Safety on the Your Right to Know webpage. This report is published in compliance with the Clery Action and the Stop Campus Hazing Act.
DEFINITIONS
“Hazing” is 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
- 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
A “Student Organization” is 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.
