Hazing Policy

PURPOSE

Lewis & Clark College prohibits hazing in all forms. Hazing undermines the integrity of student life, endangers individuals, and is inconsistent with the mission and values of the College. This policy is meant to promote a safe and respectful campus environment and to ensure compliance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act and Oregon state law (ORS 163.197).

SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to students, faculty, staff, student organizations, and third parties. This includes visitors, alumni, guests, and contractors. The policy applies to all aspects of the College’s programs and activities, including, but not limited to, admissions, employment, academics, athletics, and student services, whether on- or off-campus.

DEFINITIONS

“Hazing” is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) or student organization 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 maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and

2. causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury (above the reasonable risks generally encountered at college or in the normal activities of the specific organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team)).

Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:

• Subjecting an individual to whipping, beating, striking, branding or electronic shocking, placing a harmful substance on an individual’s body or subjecting an individual to other similar forms of physical brutality;

• Subjecting an individual to sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space or other similar activity that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual;

• Compelling an individual to consume food, liquid, alcohol, cannabis, controlled substances or other substances that subject the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual; and

• Inducing, causing or requiring an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing.

“Student Organization” is any organization at Lewis & Clark College (such as a club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, or other organization) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the College, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the College.

REPORTING

Students, faculty, staff, guests or visitors who believe that this policy has been violated should promptly make a report. There is no timeline for making a report under this policy, although the ability of the College to pursue a complaint may be hindered by the passage of time.

A report may be submitted online: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?LewisandClark&layout_id=8

Reports may also be submitted to Campus Safety (safety@lclark.edu) and/or to the relevant conduct authority:

• College of Arts & Sciences students: The Office of Community Accountability & Conflict Education (cace@lclark.edu)
• Law School students: Associate Dean of Student Affairs
• Graduate School student: Associate Dean of the Graduate School
• Faculty/Staff: Human Resources (hr@lclark.edu)

All reports of violations of this policy will be taken seriously and in good faith. The responding College official will provide information and guidance regarding how to file a formal complaint with the College and/or local law enforcement, as well as information and assistance about what course of action may best support the individual(s) involved.

Reasonable efforts will be made to maintain the privacy of those making a report to the extent possible. In all cases, the College will give consideration to the party bringing forward a report with respect to how the matter is pursued. The College may, when necessary to protect the community, initiate an investigation or take other responsive actions to a report even when the person identifying a concern chooses not to participate and/or requests that the College not initiate an investigation.

RETALIATION

Retaliation is prohibited by this policy. Retaliation is any materially adverse action taken against an individual because they were involved in the disclosure, reporting, investigation, or resolution of a hazing report. Retaliation includes threats, intimidation, harassment, or conduct intended to interfere with any right or privilege secured by this policy or by law. Adverse action does not include perceived or petty slights or trivial annoyances.

INTERIM ACTION PLANS AND ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS

In certain circumstances, the responsible conduct authority may establish an Interim Action Plan. This plan may restrict a student’s or student organization’s privileges and/or may set expectations of behavior. Possible measures include, but are not limited to, interim suspension of a student and/or student organization; prohibiting access to campus, residence halls, or classes; prohibiting contact between persons; or placing limitations on other activities while the circumstances are being evaluated. These measures may be imposed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of members of the College community, to preserve College property, or if the student or student organization poses a substantial threat of disruption or interference with the operations of the College.

An Interim Action Plan generally goes into effect immediately and remains in effect until the responsible authority delivers a written modification or resolution thereof.

INCIDENTS THAT MAY VIOLATE ADDITIONAL POLICIES

In certain cases, conduct by an individual or student organization may appear to violate multiple policies. In those cases, the appropriate campus authority will select which office or individual has primary responsibility over a matter and how that individual will engage with other responsible offices. Examples include a hazing incident that also includes sexual and interpersonal violence or harassment, which may involve Title IX and other College and/or Campus Living policies. Matters may be consolidated and handled together at the discretion of the College.

AMNESTY

A student making a report to the College, someone who assists another in making a report, or someone taking part in an investigation of hazing may be eligible for amnesty for drug or alcohol related violations or other violations of the Student Code of Conduct that occurred on or around the same time as the incident or that were in connection with the incident, unless that misconduct threatens the health or safety of another or constitutes an egregious violation. “Amnesty” means that the student making the report or assisting with the investigation would not be subject to a student conduct proceeding for their own potential conduct violation.

INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

The relevant conduct authority will determine the nature of the investigation and the scope of the information gathering process following submission of complaint, following the applicable student conduct or Human Resources procedure. The investigation will be appropriately thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to present witnesses and/or suggest that certain individuals be interviewed, and submit relevant evidence. The College will generally not stop or pause on-campus investigations when law enforcement is engaged, but may work with law enforcement to coordinate timelines and interviews. If a student wants to report to local police, the College will assist the student with this process, as requested.

If it is determined that a violation of this policy has occurred, appropriate sanctions will be imposed by the relevant conduct authority, following the applicable procedure.

PUBLIC REPORTING

Beginning July 1, 2025, the College will publish Campus Hazing Transparency Reports as required by the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act. This public report will include each incident involving a student organization found to have violated this policy, including the name of the organization, the date(s) of incident(s), and a description of the violation. Reports will be published on the Campus Safety Office webpage, and will be updated at least twice per year if there are additional hazing incidents.

In addition, the Clery Act is a federal crime and incident disclosure law. It requires, among other things, that the College report the number of incidents of certain crimes that occur within a particular geographic location. Data regarding hazing incidents will be included in the College’s report beginning with the 2026 Annual Security Report.