Hazing Policy
Policy Number 7-04
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Approved by University Senate, 4/10/2025
Issued by President Bashar W. Hanna as Policy 7-04 on 4/21/2025
Responsible Office: The Office of Student Conduct in collaboration with the Office of the
Dean of Students is responsible for the policy and policy review process.
Previous Policy: PRP 4650
1. Purpose
This policy is in accordance with Act 80 of 2018, the Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law, 18
Pa.C.S.§2809 et seq and Public Law 118-173-DEC. 23, 2024, “Stop Campus Hazing Act”.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all students, student groups, student clubs, or other related student
organizations as defined in this policy.
3. Definitions, Roles and Responsibilities
3.1. Definitions
3.1.1. 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-
3.1.1.1. is committed in the course of an initiation into an affiliation with, or the
maintenance of membership in a student organization; and
3.1.1.2. 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-
3.1.1.2.1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of
harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
3.1.1.2.2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation,
exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme
calisthenics, or other substances;
3.1.1.2.3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to
consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
3.1.1.2.4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to
preform sexual acts;
3.1.1.2.5. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily
harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
3.1.1.2.6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal
violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
3.1.1.2.7. 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 Feral law;
3.1.1.3 results in destruction or removal of property (theft).
3.1.2 Student Organizations- 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.
3.1.3 Campus Hazing Transparency Report- A report summarizing findings concerning any
student organization (except that this shall only apply to student organizations that are
established or recognized by the institution) found to be in violation of an institution’s
standards of conduct relating to hazing as defined within this policy.
3.2. Roles and Responsibilities
3.2.1. The Office of Student Conduct will coordinate with the Dean of Students (or designee)
and related partners (for example, but not limited to: Athletics, Fraternity and Sorority
Life, Student clubs and orgs.) to review the hazing policy.
3.2.2. Fraternity and Sorority Life, Athletics, or other partners that are responsible for student
organizations, as defined in this policy, are responsible for facilitating educational
hazing efforts and prevention programs.
3.2.3. The Office of Student Conduct will be responsible for managing reports of hazing and
subsequent adjudication or due process through the Student Code of Conduct.
4. Policy
4.1 This policy is in accordance with Act 80 of 2018, the Timothy Piazza Antihazing Law, 18
Pa.C.S.§2809 et seq and Public Law 118-173-DEC. 23, 2024, “Stop Campus Hazing Act”.
4.2 All acts of hazing as defined in this policy are prohibited and will be addressed and
adjudicated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Student Code of Conduct.
Students found responsible for hazing are subject to suspension or expulsion. Hazing is also
a criminal offense; all reports of hazing to the University will also be reported to law
enforcement.
4.3 All student organizations are responsible for ensuring that members of their organization
are trained in hazing prevention.
5. Procedures, Standards, and Guidelines
5.1. Reports of hazing should be reported through the University incident report system,
which can be found at the Office of Student Conduct webpage https://www.commonwealthu.edu/offices-directory/student-conduct and the Student
Complaints and Concerns webpage https://www.commonwealthu.edu/about/consumer-information/student-complaints-and-concerns.
5.2. Students that, in good faith, report hazing, may be granted amnesty (defined as safe
harbor in the Stop Campus Hazing Act) for possible policy violations. Students reporting,
must reasonably believe they were the first person to report the hazing and to remain
eligible for amnesty, a student must cooperate with University Officials looking into the
report of hazing. The Office of Student Conduct will make the determination as to
whether or not, based on the totality of the circumstances, that a student is eligible for
amnesty in relation to a report of hazing.
6. Compliance and Enforcement
6.1. All intial reports of hazing will be reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct. The Office
of Student Conduct, in collaboration with the Dean of Students, will evaluate each
report and determin next steps.
6.2. If after an investigation, if it is determined that a student organization and/or individual
students will be charged with Student Code of Conduct violations, the Office of Student
Conduct will conduct due process as detailed in the Student Code of Conduct.
6.3. Student organzations are responsible for hazing education and prevention for their
individual organization. Student orginaztions that do not complete education, and
maintain sufficient documention of the efforts, should be held responsible through
appropriate student organizational structures or due process. Student organizations
could be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for, “Failure to Comply” in higher-
level or egregious circumstances.
6.4. All acts of hazing will be reported to University Police.
7. Additional Information
7.1 Supporting Documents
7.1.1 Student Code of Conduct
7.1.2 Student Complaints and Concerns
7.1.3 8 Pa. C.S. § 2802
7.1.4 Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law
7.1.5 The Hazing Prevention Network
7.1.6 StopHazing resources
7.1.7 The Anti-Hazing Coalition
7.2 History
7.2.1 Every University policy will undergo a regular review on a five-year cycle, with
approximately 20% of the total policies inventory being reviewed each year. This review
will be conducted by the responsible division/office to assure that the policy remains
relevant and aligns with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, PASSHE
Board of Governors policies, and other University policies, procedures, standards, or
guidelines.
7.3 Related Policies
7.3.1 Student Code of Conduct
7.3.2 Student Complaints and Concerns
7.4 Contacts for additional information
7.4.1 Office of Student Conduct, Commonwealth University,
studentconduct@commonwealthu.edu; (570) 389-4734
7.4.2 Dean of Students Office, Commonwealth University,
deanofstudents@commonwealthu.edu; (570) 389-4734