At Hawkeye Community College, our mission, “Empowering students, strengthening businesses, and enriching communities” is centered around positively impacting lives. Striving for a safe and secure educational environment and workplace is a fundamental part of this mission. To uphold this commitment, all members of the Hawkeye community are prohibited from engaging in any form of hazing.
For the purpose of this policy student organization is defined as any organization at Hawkeye in which two or more of the members are enrolled students, whether or not the student organization is established or recognized by Hawkeye. This includes clubs, societies, associations, athletics teams, fraternities, sororities, bands, or the student government.
What is Hazing?
Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person, or in concert with others, against another regardless of their willingness to participate that:
- Is committed in the course of initiation into, affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
- Causes or creates an unreasonable risk of physical or psychological injury, including any activity which places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct and any activity that includes or requires another person to perform a criminal violation of state or federal law.
Prohibited Hazing Behaviors
Prohibited hazing acts include:
- whipping
- beating
- striking
- electronic shocking
- placing a harmful substance on someone’s body
- causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing:
- sleep deprivation
- exposure to the elements
- confinement in a small space
- extreme exercise
- consuming food, liquid (including alcohol), drugs, or other substances
- the performance of sexual acts
Iowa Law
Iowa also has a criminal law on “hazing,” Iowa Code 708.10. This law defines hazing as an intentional or reckless act or acts involving forced activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with the College, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate.
Compliance
In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)), Hawkeye Community College is committed to comprehensive hazing prevention, education, and reporting. The following strategies will be utilized to maintain compliance with state and federal law.
Prevention and Educational Efforts
Hawkeye will implement the following prevention measures and reporting processes:
- Annual prevention training for all students involved in College-recognized clubs or organizations.
- Annual communication to the campus community regarding the College’s hazing policy and reporting requirements.
- Mandatory hazing prevention training for students enrolled in SDV-108 and College 101 courses.
- Annual hazing prevention training for all student-athletes.
- Ongoing information and training for faculty, staff, and student workers on identifying, reporting and responding to hazing incidents.
These prevention and educational efforts will be research-informed and campus-wide, and designed to reach students, faculty, and staff with information about:
- How to report incidents of hazing and Hawkeye’s processes used to investigate incidents of hazing;
- Iowa’s hazing law; and
- Primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before hazing occurs, which may include skill building for bystander intervention, information about ethical leadership, and the promotion of strategies for building group cohesion without hazing.
Report Hazing
All members of the Hawkeye community are strongly encouraged and expected to report incidents or suspicions of hazing promptly, regardless of whether the incident occurred on-campus or off- campus. Hazing incidents can be reported through the following resources:
- Public Safety Office: Call 319-296-4234
- Dean of Students (for student-related reports): Call 319-296-4448, email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or visit Student Services Office, Hawkeye Center 208.
- Student Activities Coordinator: Call 319-296-2320 ext.1018, email studentactivities@hawkeyecollege.edu, or visit the Student Activities Desk at the Brock Center Student Center.
- Director of Athletics and Recreation: Call 319-296-4430, email athletics@hawkeyecollege.edu, or visit the Athletics Office in the Health Education and Services Center.
- Executive Director, Human Resources (for employee-related reports): Call 319-296-4405, email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or visit the Human Resources office, Hawkeye Center 101.
Any nonconfidential employee of the College must immediately report any known instances of hazing to the Title IX Coordinator.
Investigation and Accountability
Upon receiving reports of alleged hazing, the College will conduct a prompt, thorough investigation in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct for students or student organizations, and under applicable College policies and procedures for faculty or staff. Outcomes and findings from investigations will be communicated transparently and included in relevant College reports as required.
Consequences for founded incidents of hazing can include discipline up to and including suspension or expulsion for students, serious disciplinary sanctions for the student organizations, and termination of employees.
Institutional Expectations
Striving for a respectful, safe, and supportive environment at Hawkeye Community College is the responsibility of every community member. Together, we must uphold the highest standards of behavior, professionalism, and care for one another to ensure the wellbeing of all individuals associated with our institution.