Anti-Hazing Policy

Effective: 8/28/25
Contact: Directors Campus Safety and Human Resources

I. Purpose
William Jewell College is committed to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct. Consistent with these standards, this policy is being established to prevent hazing, protect student safety and comply with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, as well as recently enacted Missouri state law. Hazing is strictly prohibited in all forms and will be addressed through education, enforcement and transparent reporting.

II. Definitions
Hazing: Any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by one or more individuals against another person, regardless of consent, in connection with initiation, affiliation or continued membership in a student organization that causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological harm. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Physical abuse or brutality (e.g., beating, whipping, exposure to the elements)
  • Causing, coercing or otherwise inducing another person’s consumption of substances (e.g., food, alcohol, drugs, tobacco products)
  • Causing, coercing or otherwise inducing another person’s sleep deprivation, confinement or other extreme stress-inducing activity
  • Causing, coercing or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts
  • Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through threats or intimidation
  • Any activity against another person that violates local, state 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 or federal law
  • Any activity that induces, causes or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves violating College policy or the student Standard of Conduct.

Student Organization: Any group or “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.”

III. Prohibited Conduct
No student, faculty, staff or organization may engage in hazing. This includes planning, directing, encouraging, participating in or failing to report hazing activities. Further, witnessing hazing without intervening or reporting will be a violation of this policy. Retaliation for reporting hazing is strictly prohibited. 

IV. Reporting Hazing
Reports of hazing may be submitted through:

The Director of Campus Safety and/or the Human Resources Manager will review all hazing reports and determine the appropriate investigator, depending on the individuals involved. When reports involve potential violations of multiple policies (e.g., Title IX, Discrimination, civil rights), there will be coordination among the relevant offices to ensure appropriate and legally compliant handling of the case. Hazing investigations may be paused for, or proceed concurrently with, other investigations. Hazing investigations will, to the extent possible, be concluded within 90 days of the report. Depending on the alleged parties involved, the matter will be referred to the appropriate office. The reviewing body will follow Jewell’s established conduct procedures, including due process and retaliation protections for all parties involved.

Investigative steps may include:

  • Contacting individuals accused of hazing and notifying relevant organizational leaders.
  • Interviewing victims, witnesses and any accused individual(s).
  • Imposing interim measures, if necessary.
  • Requiring individuals or groups to participate in investigatory meetings.
  • Limiting communication or use of electronic devices during the investigation.
  • With voluntary consent, requesting physical examinations if allegations include physical abuse (medical findings will be summarized for the investigator, in compliance with privacy laws).

Upon completion of an investigation, a written report will be submitted by the investigating person to the Dean of Students or the Human Resources manager. The Dean of Students or Human Resources manager will then determine next steps and if sanctions are warranted in accordance with current disciplinary policies. Determinations of responsibility will consider:

  • Number of members involved or that are aware of the violation.
  • Knowledge and actions of officers/leaders/advisors.
  • Whether members acted in concert or under organizational influence.
  • Connection to an organizationally sponsored or endorsed event.
  • Presence of a pattern of past violations without organizational intervention.

Possible sanctions include, but are not limited to:

  • Educational assignments or training
  • Disciplinary probation
  • Removal from the organization or athletic team
  • Suspension or expulsion
  • Revocation of recognition for student organizations
  • Referral to local law enforcement authorities for criminal charges

V. Prevention and Education
In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Jewell will implement a campus-wide hazing prevention and awareness programs, including:

  • Orientation sessions for new students and distribution of this policy.
  • Annual anti-hazing awareness and prevention training for student organizations, athletic teams and other recognized groups, along with training for leaders.
  • Regular educational programming to appropriate faculty and staff.

VI. Transparency and Disclosure
In an effort to promote accountability, Jewell will:

  • Publish hazing statistics in the Annual Security Report (ASR) beginning Oct. 1, 2026 (covering 2025 data). This hazing policy and all reports of hazing will be included in the report for the previous three (3) calendar years as required by federal law.
  • Publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR) on its website by Dec. 23, 2025, summarizing findings of substantiated hazing violations by recognized student organizations. This report will be updated at least twice annually and will exclude personally identifiable information. The report will be maintained in a publicly accessible database for at least five (5) years.

VII. Policy Review and Updates
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Dean of Students in coordination with the Office of Human Resources, the Department of Campus Safety and Legal Counsel to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and evolving best practices in hazing prevention.