ANTI HAZING / ANTI BULLYING POLICY:
While recognizing the positive attitudes of young people, schools are often plagued by incidents of hazing or bullying. Although these tactics are against the law in most states, incidents are still occurring. They must cease if they are occurring.
School officials are often called upon to deal with incidents involving minor pranks and disorderly conduct to far more serious situations resulting in injury and, in some instances, potential death. School administration has consistently established and mandated a school anti hazing / anti bullying policy.
A person is guilty of hazing, a crime of the fourth degree, if, in connection with initiation of applicants to, or members of a student organization, he/she knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates, or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events under the direction of authorized personnel for the purposes associated with team or individual sports, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury or which may adversely affect another person’s mental health or dignity.
A person is guilty of aggravated hazing, a crime of the third degree, if he/she commits an act prohibited, which results in serious bodily injury to another person.
A person commits a disorderly person’s offense if the person knowingly fails to report the planning of a specific hazing incident or knowingly fails to report that a specific hazing incident has occurred to appropriate officials within an educational institution.
Notwithstanding any other provision, consent shall not be available as a defense to a prosecution under this Act
Conduct constituting an offense under this law may, at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney, be prosecuted under any other applicable provision of State Statutes.
Unequivocally, hazing or bullying is antithetical to the mission of the school, contrary to the academic and personal development of students, an affront to the student's dignity, and a violation of criminal statutes.
School Administration believes that true brotherhood and sisterhood is nurtured in an atmosphere of educational, social and moral responsibility, respect for duly constituted authority, and loyalty to the principles of public education. Therefore, it is imperative and expected that in all activities and programs pertaining to initiation and pre-initiation activities, student organizations must reinforce the belief in the preservation of human dignity. Any and all activities which compromise these premises have no rightful place on the school grounds.
Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, or however communicated, whether on or off school premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule should not be done. Such activities and situations may include, but are not limited to: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside the confines of the school grounds; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with people relations or the regulation and policies of the educational institution.
The consent of the victimized party does not constitute a defense against being prosecuted or sanctioned. The above definition of hazing and bullying should not be construed as an attempt to supersede or nullify any portion of the criminal code. Alleged acts will be referred to the Dean of Students for investigation and adjudication.
