Quincy University Policy on Hazing (06-01-2025)

Quincy University prohibits all hazing acts as defined below. Quincy University investigates allegations of hazing and strictly enforces all violations. Quincy University provides ongoing hazing education and prevention strategies to university community members.

Conformance to Applicable Hazing Laws

The policies and practices of Quincy University conform to those prescribed by the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.  There are no local, state, or tribal hazing laws applicable to Quincy University.

Hazing Defined

The term “hazing”, for purposes of this policy, means 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:

  • is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
  • causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury. Such risk must be 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).
  • Such acts shall include but are not limited to:
    • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
    • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
    • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
    • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
    • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
    • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law;
    • 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 Federal law.

Student Organization Defined

A student organization is defined as an organization at an institution of higher education 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.

Such organizations shall include but are not limited to a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, chorus, or student government.

Reporting Allegations of Hazing

All members of the Quincy University Community (students, faculty, and staff) are encouraged to report suspected hazing violations.

Allegations should be reported to the Director of Safety and Security or any individual identified as a Quincy University Campus Security Authority. Quincy University staff designated as Campus Security Authorities are: the Director of Safety and Security and all Security Officers, the Vice President of Student Development, the Director of Housing Operations, the Director of Residence Life, the Director of Student Engagement, the Title IX Coordinator, Student Success Coaches, Student Development Graduate Assistants, Resident Directors, and Resident Assistants.

Allegations may be reported utilizing the Student Harm Reporting Form found on the Quincy University Portal under the Campus Life: Security tabs.

Investigation of Hazing Allegations

The Director of Safety and Security, or their designee, shall complete all investigations into hazing allegations with the support of the director or staff member overseeing the Student Organization involved. The investigation should commence as soon as practicable.

Depending on the nature and circumstances of the hazing allegations, a Timely Notice to the impacted members of the Quincy University Community should be considered.

Should the investigation findings determine that there was, in fact, a violation of Quincy University’s standards of conduct relating to hazing as defined in this policy, an adjudication board will be convened to review the case and determine violations and sanctions for the student group and/or any individual(s) involved. The adjudication board shall be comprised of the standing Disciplinary Judicial Board, in addition to the Director of Student Engagement.

Student groups and individuals have the right to appeal the decisions of this adjudication board.  Appeals shall be made to the Vice President of Student Development.

Hazing Education and Prevention

Quincy University provides ongoing hazing education and prevention strategies to university community members. Students, faculty, and staff receive annual training on the Quincy University hazing policy and research-informed strategies to prevent hazing.  New students receive the training as part of their mandatory orientation. In addition, all Quincy University Campus Security Authorities receive annual updated training on the reporting and investigation of hazing allegations.

Stop Campus Hazing Act Statistics

In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Quincy University creates and maintains statistics on hazing violations in two separate and distinct reports: the Campus Hazing Transparency Report and the Annual Security Report.

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report is a biannual report summarizing findings concerning any established or recognized student organization found to be in violation of Quincy University’s standards of conduct relating to hazing as defined in this policy. This report details findings against the organization, not individuals. This report will be updated at least twice yearly, on December 1st and June 1st (beginning December 2025). The Campus Hazing Transparency Report can be found on the Quincy University website.

The Annual Security Report, a requirement of the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, is an annual report that provides information on key campus safety policies and procedures, as well as campus crime statistics for specific incidents reported under the Clery Act. As prescribed by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Quincy University reports Clery Act crime statistics for hazing incidents (beginning with the 2025 report published in October 2026). In contrast to the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, the Annual Security Report includes statistics for all hazing reports regardless of the investigative findings. The Annual Security Report can be found on the Quincy University website.