Anti-Hazing

Anti-Hazing

Macomb Community College (“the College”) prohibits and does not tolerate hazing, as defined below.  Organizations or individuals found responsible for hazing, whether occurring on or off campus, may be subject to disciplinary action and/or civil or criminal prosecution.

“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—regardless of a person’s willingness to participate— that is (a) committed in connection with initiation into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a student organization (including, but not limited to, teams, groups, fraternities/sororities, and clubs), and (b) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participating at the College.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Physical abuse (e.g., beating, forced calisthenics).
• Forced consumption of substances.
• Sleep deprivation or exposure to extreme conditions.
• Coerced sexual acts.
• Threats or intimidation.
• Any act that violates local, state or federal law.

“Hazing” does not include:

• Customary athletic events, contests or competitions that are sponsored by an educational office/department.
• Any activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educational curriculum, a legitimate extracurricular program, or a legitimate training program that requires physical fitness as a qualifying metric.
• Any activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educational curriculum, a legitimate extracurricular program, or a legitimate training program that requires unique classroom experiences for licensure, including, but not limited to, the Public Service Institute, selective admission programs, and clinical curricula.

Hazing is prohibited regardless of its formal association with the student organization’s scheduled or recognized activities. Claims that the conduct or activity in question was not part of an official student organizational event or was not officially sanctioned or approved by the student organization does not constitute a defense to a charge of hazing.  

It is generally not a defense to hazing under this section that the individual against whom hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing, though the final determination is subject to the facts and circumstances of each situation.

For purposes of this Policy, the term “student organization” means an organization, including but not limited to a club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, social, professional, or pre-professional fraternity, sorority, band, or student government 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.

A person should report a hazing concern if they believe it has occurred or have reasonable cause to believe it will occur.  Reports of hazing can be made anonymously or in person to:

• Office of Student Conduct & Resolution -- studentconduct@macomb.edu or 586.445.7573
• Athletics -- athletics@macomb.edu or 586.445.7512  
• Online Reporting Form
• College Police -- police@macomb.edu or 586.445.7135

If possible, reports should include a description of the hazing behavior, the location of the behavior, the individuals and/or organizations involved, any photographs or videos taken.  Cases involving a crime or imminent threat to health or safety should be reported immediately to Campus Police. 

Retaliation against individuals for reporting suspected hazing is strictly prohibited.

When the College receives a report of alleged conduct which, if true, could constitute hazing as defined in this Policy, it will promptly investigate.

The College may sanction individuals and/or student organizations found responsible for hazing.  Sanctions for hazing may include, but are not limited to, suspension, expulsion, or revocation of organizational recognition.

The College will implement research-informed, campus-wide hazing prevention programs. These may include:

• Mandatory training for all student organizations
• Orientation sessions for new students
• Annual awareness campaigns

The College will publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report annually on its public website. This report will include:

• Names of student organizations found responsible
• General descriptions of violations
• Dates of incidents, investigations, and findings

Beginning October 1, 2025, hazing statistics will be included in the College’s Annual Security Report, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.

Approved by President’s Council
July 15, 2025