Preamble   Policy   New York State Anti-Hazing Law   Procedures   Reporting

 PREAMBLE

While the primary purpose of any hazing policy is to keep students safe and out of harms way while providing guidelines for organizations in the creation of practices and traditions associated with the process of bringing new members into those groups, no policy can be so precisely written so as to include all behaviors which may lead to harm.

Therefore, all fraternities and sororities are highly encouraged to discuss their practices, plans, and traditions with the Fraternity/ Sorority Advisor prior to implementation. By clarifying the appropriateness of their actions well in advance of the new member education program and attending programs sponsored by national organizations and the office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, groups can prevent harm to their members and/or their organizations.

POLICY

Binghamton University specifically prohibits any individual student or recognized student organization from engaging in the following practices collectively or individually, on or off-campus during affiliation with or in connection with initiation into any organization. All visiting brothers/sisters and pledges must abide by all rules and regulations governing Greek letter organizations and guests while at Binghamton University.

Binghamton University prohibits forced, coerced, or permitted activities of a physical, psychological or emotional nature that may adversely affect the physical and/or mental health or dignity of the individual, that might in any way inhibit a new member’s ability to fulfill his/her academic responsibilities or communicate with faculty, staff, other students or families, or that involve illegal acts.

Examples of behaviors Binghamton University considers hazing:

The following specific examples of hazing activities are not considered to be all-inclusive of those practices that may be considered hazing since it is impossible to anticipate every situation that may involve reckless or intentional endangering of a person’s mental or physical health. They are intended to serve as guidelines for organizations developing positive new-member education programs.

• Use of physical brutality (including paddling; striking with fists, open hands, or objects; and branding),
• Calisthenics, exercises, games, or “make work” activity
• Walking in/on line (Defined as: walking one in front of each other in a line or other formation) and all traditionally associated behaviors are prohibited.
• Wearing uniforms on a daily basis that separate the new members from the general membership is prohibited. Uniforms may be worn twice per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When worn, uniforms or gear should be clean at all times and suitable to the weather.
• Dressing in a degrading manner (Costumes or attire outside of usual student dress),
• Disruptive, lengthy, exaggerated chanting/greeting,
• Extended exposure to the elements outside of the limits of usual student transience,
• Public stunts or activities that may place new members in conspicuous, degrading or humiliating situations,
• Application of foreign substances to the body resulting in lewdness, potential for ridicule, or bodily harm including tattooing or branding,
• Forced, coerced or permitted inappropriate consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or any other substance(including raw meat, onions, water, etc.),
• Deprivation of decent and edible meals,
• Deprivation of access to means of maintaining a normal schedule of bodily cleanliness (including a minimum of one shower per day),
• Nudity or partial nudity.
• Creating situations which may cause a new member/ pledge to be the object of malicious amusement or ridicule or other verbal abuse,
• Creating situations which may cause a new member/ pledge embarrassment or shame,
• Creating situations that may compromise the personal, religious, or cultural values of a new member/ pledge.
• Creation of excessive fatigue and stress through deprivation of privacy or sufficient sleep. No activity should extend past midnight nor begin prior to 8 am.
• Imposed restriction on verbal or any other form of communication (access to electronic communication devices),
• Use of drugs or illegal/controlled substances,
• Illegal or excessive consumption or serving of alcohol,
• Kidnappings,
• Theft (scavenger hunts or shoplifting),
• Destruction of property.

NEW YORK STATE ANTI- HAZING LAW

New York State Law regarding hazing is as follows:

120.16 Hazing in the first degree – Hazing in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes injury.

120.17 Hazing in the second degree - Hazing in the second degree is a violation.

A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.

PROCEDURES

Hazing conduct may result in charges under the “Rules of Student Conduct”, withdrawal of organizational recognition or certification, campus judicial charges against individual students, and/or the arrest of individuals.

REPORTING

To report a hazing incident, contact one or both of the following: the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at 607-777-2811 or the University Police at 607-777-2393.