Staff Policy D-602.08
Institutional Effectiveness Criterion: Champion

Anti-Hazing policy

The purpose of the Anti-Hazing Policy at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is to align with the Stop Campus Hazing Act by providing a clear framework for reporting and addressing hazing incidents to protect the safety and well-being of students. This policy ensures that all members of the NMC community have access to a confidential reporting process and that any reported hazing is thoroughly investigated, with appropriate corrective actions taken. By adhering to the Stop Campus Hazing Act, NMC is committed to promoting a campus environment free from hazing, fostering respect, inclusion, and student success.

1. Hazing
   1. 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:
      1. is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with or the maintenance of membership in a student organization; and
      2. 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, but not limited to:
         1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; 
         2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; 
         3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; 
         4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; 
         5. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; 
         6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of  local, state, tribal, or federal law; and 
         7. 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.
2. Reporting and Investigating Hazing Incidents
   1. Reporting of and the investigative process for hazing will follow NMC’s Student Code of Conduct Policy, D-602.01. This policy includes resolution and due process proceedings, sanctions, and appeals.
   2. NMC will include in its annual security report (1) a statement of current policies relating to hazing, how to report hazing incidents, the process used to investigate hazing incidents, and information on applicable laws on hazing (MCL Section 750.411t and H.R. 564); and (2) a statement of policy regarding prevention and awareness programs relating to hazing that includes a description of prevention programs.
   3. NMC will develop and make public a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct related to hazing. The Campus Hazing Transparency report will not be developed or updated unless there is a finding of a hazing violation.

3. Hazing Prevention and Awareness
   1. NMC is committed to fostering a safe and respectful campus environment where hazing is strictly prohibited. In alignment with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646) and Michigan state law MCL Section 750.411t, this policy will provide structured education, training, and intervention to prevent hazing from occurring within the NMC community.
   2. Education, training, and awareness will include information on recognizing hazing behaviors, understanding the legal ramifications under the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Michigan’s MCL-Section 750.411t, and NMC’s zero-tolerance policy for hazing.
   3. Education, training, and awareness will cover the potential physical, emotional, and legal consequences of hazing for both victims and perpetrators, emphasizing that hazing is a violation of the law and NMC policies.
   4. Students, faculty, and staff will also be educated on how to safely report incidents of hazing and the resources available to individuals affected by hazing.

If any provision(s) of this policy or set of bylaws conflicts with laws applicable to Northwestern Michigan College, including the Community College Act of 1966, the Freedom of Information Act, or the Open Meetings Act, as each may be amended from time to time, such laws shall control and supersede such provision(s).