Anti-Hazing Policy

In compliance with the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law (NJ Public Law 2021 c208), Passaic County Community College prohibits hazing on or off campus by a College student or employee. A student means an individual who attends or has applied to attend or has been admitted to Passaic County Community College. A student, College-sanctioned club, organization, group or team (a Sanctioned Organization) found in violation of this Policy will be subject to discipline according to the College Student Code of Conduct. Any individual associate with a sanctioned organization who is not a student, will be disciplined in accordance with College policy. Criminal referrals and sanctions may also be imposed pursuant to applicable New Jersey anti-hazing laws, N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3.

DEFINITION OF HAZING

Hazing is any action or situation which intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes, coerces or forces a student to do any of the following:

causes, coerces, or otherwise induces another person to commit an act that violates federal or State criminal law;
causes, coerces, or otherwise induces another person to consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the person to a risk of emotional or physical harm or is otherwise deleterious to the person’s health;
subjects another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a physical nature, including, but not limited to, whipping, beating, branding, excessive calisthenics, or exposure to the elements;
subjects another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a mental or emotional nature, including, but not limited to, activity adversely affecting the mental or emotional health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;
subjects another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a sexual nature; or
subjects another person to any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the person.

For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be considered to be “forced” activity. A student may not choose (give consent) to be hazed. The giving of consent does not excuse hazing activities. The good intention or the end result being positive will not be taken into consideration; if the action is considered hazing it is still in violation of the policy.

This applies to behavior on or off the Passaic County Community College campus. Events that are optional can be considered hazing due to the emotional status of the student and the fear of not being initiated for not participating.

All students should read and understand the Passaic County Community College Anti-Hazing Policy. Student should also familiarize themselves with the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law to best understand civil and criminal liability as it relates to acts of hazing in the state of New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 2C:40-3.

Any questions or needed clarification should be directed to the Associate Vice President/Dean of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@pccc.edu.

Questions to ask when planning an activity:

Does the activity promote and conform to the ideals, values, and the mission of both the College and organization?
Is it an activity that all members (current and initiates) can participate in together?
Would the group’s adviser and/or other College officials approve of the activity?
Would your family approve of the activity?
Would you like to see a story about the activity in the campus newspaper?
Will this activity increase new members’ respect for the group and all members of the group?
Is the activity free of mental anguish or physical discomfort?
Does the activity have inherent value in and of itself?

SANCTIONS FOR HAZING

Sanctions for hazing may include the imposition of fines; the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the rules, or pending payment of fines; and the imposition of probation, suspension, dismissal, and any other sanctions the College deems appropriate.

In the case of a College organization which authorizes hazing in disregard of such rules, penalties may also include rescission of permission for that organization to operate on campus property or to otherwise operate under the sanction of the College.

IMMUNITY FOR VICTIMS/WITNESSES/THOSE OFFERING ASSISTANCE

Passaic County Community College encourages all students to act responsibly and in particular for the well-being of another that can be helped to prevent bodily injury or other harm. To encourage reporting, PCCC reserves the right to offer victims of crimes, witnesses and those offering assistance various degrees of immunity including amnesty.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with theTimothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, Passaic County Community College publishes an anti-hazing reporton actual findings of Passaic County Community College student organization conduct violationsby organizations formally affiliated with the institution.

The report includes name of the organization, the date charges assessed, the actual charge, a general description of the incident, findings and sanctions (action plans) placed on the organization, and the date it was resolved. For additional information regarding Student Organization conduct processes, please review the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook and/or the Club/Organization Handbook.

Passaic County Community College will maintain this anti-hazing reportfor the past 5 years of any and all information concerning violations of the Timothy Piazza Anti-Hazing Law on the College’s website. This report will be updated twice a year on January 1 and August 1.