Ohio Administrative Code
Title 3349 - Northeast Ohio Medical University
Chapter 3349-5 - Student Conduct and Health Initiatives
Section 3349-5-76 - Hazing
Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 3349-5-76
Current through all regulations passed and filed through March 18, 2024
(A) Purpose
All acts of hazing are prohibited at Northeast Ohio medical university (NEOMED). The university strives to promote a safe environment in which its students can participate in experiences and activities without compromising their mental and physical health, well-being, dignity, and personal rights. Students are entitled to be treated with consideration, respect, and professionalism at all times, including when engaging in the activities of a student organization, as defined in this rule. To that end, the university has zero tolerance for acts of hazing that may occur related to the admission, initiation, pledging, joining, or continued membership in any student organization.
(B) Scope
This rule applies to all students, student organizations and all employees or volunteers who advise or support a student organization. Preventing hazing from occurring is the responsibility of all members of the NEOMED community, including students, student organizations, employees, alumni and volunteers.
(C) Definitions
(1)
"Hazing" refers
to engaging in or coercing, pressuring, or soliciting another to engage in any
act of initiation, or act required in order to maintain membership, that causes
or creates a substantial risk of physical or mental harm to any person.
(a)
Hazing under this
rule includes, but is not limited to the following, when performed in
relationship to the foregoing purposes:
(i)
Ingesting food,
drinks (including alcohol), drugs or other substances;
(ii)
Acts of a
physical nature, such as: beating, bonding, branding, calisthenics, exposure to
outdoor elements, paddling, striking, throwing items at or on a person, and/or
whipping;
(ii)
Acts that adversely affect the mental health or dignity
of the individual, such as: social isolation, kidnapping, abandonment, verbal
berating and/or food or sleep deprivation;
(iii)
Acts that a
reasonable person would view to be frightening, humiliating, intimidating or
deceptive, such as: blindfolding, personal servitude, designating
entrances/exits to public spaces, requiring individuals wear uncomfortable,
scant, or no apparel at designated times;
(iv)
Acts that
violate university policies, or federal, state, or local laws, regardless of
whether charges are brought; and
(v)
Acts that
endanger or have the potential to endanger a student's academic or personal
life (e.g., preventing attendance to academic, employment, or family
matters).
(b)
Hazing does not include:
(i)
Reasonable and
customary student organization trainings, contests or other events that are
explicitly relevant to the mission of the organization and performed by all
members; and
(ii)
Lawful expressive activities permitted under the first
amendment of the United States constitution, section 11 of the article I of the
Ohio constitution, or the NEOMED free speech rule.
(2)
"Student organization" refers to any student association,
group, club, or chapter whose members are primarily students or alumni of the
organization or the university.
(D) Rule statement
(1)
Prohibited conduct. The following conduct constitute a
violation of this rule:
(a)
Purposefully, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently
hazing any person;
(b)
Involvement in the planning of hazing and/or being
present during hazing;
(c)
Failing to intervene or stop hazing if the individual
has knowledge of a planned or ongoing hazing activity;
(d)
Failing to assist
or seek assistance if the individual knows or reasonably should know that
another person is in danger from the effects of hazing;
(2)
Training on hazing
(a)
Students are
required to participate in training regarding hazing during orientation.
Students are prohibited from participating in any activities, including being
accepted or initiated as a member of a student organization until they complete
the training.
(b)
All employees and volunteers who advise a student
organization and who have direct contact with students must complete hazing
training.
(c)
The foregoing training may occur on-line or in person,
at the discretion of the university and will reflect the provisions of this
rule as well as the related potential for criminal prosecution related to
hazing activities.
(3)
Reporting hazing.
Any person with knowledge that hazing is scheduled to occur or has taken place
is encouraged to immediately report the information to one or more of the
following sources. Prompt reporting of hazing activities enables law
enforcement and/or campus personnel to gather timely and relevant information
related to the alleged activity. While reports can be made anonymously, without
identifying the reporting party's name, it may limit the university's ability
to investigate and take action. Reports can be made as follows:
(a)
In writing or in
person to the student conduct officer or the associate dean for the student
affairs of the college;
(b)
By contacting the NEOMED police at 330-325-5911 if the
situation is non-emergent, or 911 if emergency personnel are
required;
(c)
By submitting an online professionalism concern
note;
(d)
By contacting the employee serving as the student
organization's advisor; or
(e)
By contacting
human resources.
(4)
Investigation of
hazing reports. The student conduct officer and/or the NEOMED police will
investigate all reports of hazing. All students and employees are required to
cooperate in the investigation of hazing allegations. Retaliating against or
taking adverse action toward an individual who participates in the
investigation of a hazing allegation will result in the filing of a
professionalism concern note (for students) or discipline (for
employees).
(a)
Students who are found to have been in violation of this
rule will be addressed through the procedures set forth in the administration
of student conduct rule, which may include implementation of interim safety
measures. Sanctions for hazing may include the imposition of fines; revocation
of permission to participate in the student organization or permission for the
student organization to operate on campus; notification to the related national
chapter organization; or discipline such as probation, suspension, dismissal or
expulsion.
(b)
Employees who fail to report hazing occurrences about
which they have been notified or who have been reckless in permitting hazing of
any student within a student organization will be subject to discipline, up to
and including termination.
(c)
Alumni and
volunteers who have been reckless in permitting hazing of any student within a
student organization may be excluded from future activities on campus and
reported to the related national chapter of the student
organization.
(d)
Students, employees, volunteers and alumni may also
face criminal prosecution for permitting or participating in hazing
activities.
(5)
Amnesty. Students who report hazing under this rule or
who participate in an investigation of hazing will be granted amnesty from
consequences tied to violations of other university policies that arose out of
or are related to the hazing incident under investigation, so long as the
student's conduct does not represent a threat to the health and safety of
others (e.g., seeking medical assistance for overconsumption of drugs or
alcohol).
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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