Policy Statement

Ramapo College is committed to the safety and well-being of all members of the community. Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, to produce mental or physical harm, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. This includes any activities in order to join a group, which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state and federal law.

Reason for Policy

To prohibit acts of hazing, prevent harm to students, and to prohibit retaliation toward any person(s) coming forward to bring about an allegation. This policy is set forth to ensure the College’s compliance with New Jersey’s Anti-Hazing Law (New Jersey Timothy J. Piazza Hazing Law N.J.A. 2C:40-3 et seq.), the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Pub. L. No. 118-173 (2024), and amending the Jeane Clery Campus Safety Act, 20 U.S.C. 1092(f).

To Whom Does the Policy Apply

All Ramapo College students and student clubs/organizations/teams

Supplemental Resources

•   New Jersey “Timothy J. Piazza” Hazing Law
•   Stop Campus Hazing Act
•   Ramapo Hazing Prevention Programs
•   Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Contacts

•   Public Safety
•   Center for Student Involvement
•   Office of Student Conduct

Procedure 644: Hazing Prevention

I. Definition of Terms

•   Hazing: Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, to produce mental or physical harm, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol during potential new member activities; 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 of the campus; forced wearing of uniformed apparel as a group; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law. Depending upon circumstances, these activities have at one time or another been construed as hazing by the courts and/or institutions of higher education. Such actions are often required or implied as conditions of inclusion or exclusion from a group, formal or informal. Thus, hazing may be perpetrated by an individual(s), group(s), or part(s) of a group.

• Greek: Any student who has accepted an offer to join or has been formally initiated into a recognized fraternity or sorority on campus. Greek students is a collective noun for fraternity/sorority members and has no connection to the country of Greece, Greek nationality, or the Greek language.

II. Reporting

Immediate Reporting of Hazing for 24/7 response:  

• Contact the Public Safety Department at 201-684-6666
• Contact Mahwah Police at 201-529-1000 or 911

Business Hours Reporting of Hazing:

• Contact the Public Safety Department at 201-684-6666
• Utilize an online form to Report a Hazing Incident to Public Safety.

III.           Training Requirements

1. Greek Life. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life requires all incoming Greek students to complete the following:

• Attend One In-Person Hazing Prevention Workshop

During each Hazing Prevention Workshop, students learn about Ramapo College’s definition of hazing, as well as the New Jersey state and federal law related to hazing. Through an interactive workshop, students review scenarios and have to determine whether each example is considered hazing or not. The workshop also equips students with the knowledge and tools to recognize the warning signs of hazing, understand reporting options and available resources, and foster a positive culture that promotes healthy experiences as an alternative to hazing.

The workshop is available to all students, faculty, and staff who wish to participate.

• Complete the required online Hazing Prevention Courses assigned by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life

The courses cover key topics such as fraternity and sorority social responsibility, alcohol, hazing, and bystander awareness. The courses are available to all students, faculty, and staff who wish to participate.

• Sign the New Member Process Acknowledgment

The New Member Process Acknowledgement requires students to sign that they will abide by all federal, state and local laws as well as Ramapo College policies and procedures in relation to hazing.

2. Clubs and Organizations. The Center for Student Involvement provides all Ramapo College recognized clubs and organizations with hazing prevention information.

The information is captured in the Clubs and Organizations Policies and Procedures Manual. It includes the definition of hazing, how to report hazing, and the hazing investigation process.

3. Athletics. Athletics, Intramurals, and  Recreation provides all Ramapo College recognized athletic teams with hazing prevention training.

This training includes the definition of hazing, how to report hazing, and the hazing investigation process.

IV. Examples of Hazing Activities Prohibited by Ramapo College

This list by no means covers all activities and actions that can be considered hazing. In addition, organizations may not employ practices that are contrary to governing body policy. Activities banned by governing bodies are also considered banned by Ramapo College of New Jersey. Where organization and college policies differ, College policies will prevail.

1. Requiring any form of exercise or physical activity (such as crunches, push-ups, running, lunges, carrying heavy items, standing for long periods of time)
2. Requiring a regimented public demeanor, i.e. marching, military-like demeanor, limiting use of automatic doors, restricting walking patterns, prescribing set walking formations, such as single file, or cutting corners.
3. Not permitting individuals to speak for extended periods of time and/or forced exclusion from social contact; prohibition from speaking with College officials, faculty, employers/clients, club membership or leadership or roommates or prohibition from speaking with family/friends even in emergency situations.
4. Requiring individuals to walk or march in formation of any kind
5.  Forced wearing of uniforms or apparel
6.  Not permitting individuals to speak for extended periods of time and/or forced exclusion from social contact
7.  Requiring the ingestion of any substance i.e., spoiled food, drink, concoctions, water, hot sauce
8.  Prolonged exposure to the elements
9.  Physical assault/harassment i.e., branding, blindfolding or hand-tying, beating
10.  Requiring dietary intake in any way i.e., food restrictions, limitations, designating diet, healthy or otherwise
11.  Conducting activities that do not allow adequate time for study or sleep
12.  Requiring prescribed greetings or recitation as part of pnm activities/pnm program in academic areas
13. Deprivation of or interference with the maintenance of a normal schedule of bodily cleanliness
14. Expecting certain items to always be in one’s possession that has no significance to the organization (as stated by the governing body) or that is physically burdensome or potentially dangerous i.e., pnm book, rock, bricks, pumpkin, stuffed animal etc.
15. Engaging in unauthorized activities which involve compelling an individual or group of individuals to remain at a certain location or transporting anyone anywhere, within or outside the township of Mahwah i.e., road trips, treasure and scavenger hunts, kidnapping, sneaks, drop-offs, etc.
16. Forcing new members to perform individual acts or acts as a group which are crude, degrading and meant to embarrass and/or humiliate, i.e., acting like an animal, simulating sexual acts
17. Assigning or endorsing pranks such as borrowing or stealing items, painting property and objects of others, or harassing other individuals or groups
18.  Non-physical harassment including yelling and screaming or calling individuals demeaning names
19. Requiring any personal servitude to another individual or group such as running errands, cleaning, making food runs, cooking, performing someone else’s academic work, requiring a new member to be a designated driver even if not involved in the activity.
20.  Questioning under pressure including using line-ups or drills
21.  Simulating or requiring activity of a sexual nature, or threatening to do so
22. Expecting illegal activity or threatening to require illegal activity
23. Psychological games used to intimidate new members, isolating new members and/or abandoning or falsely imprisoning new members

V. Consent

Hazing is hazing regardless of consent. Agreeing to any of the activities identified in Section IV of this procedure or any other unauthorized activity does not make it acceptable.

VI. Charges, Investigation, and College Response

1. Charges. If an organization/team or individual is being charged as part of an alleged hazing incident, the charge letter will read as follows, in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct: “Hazing, including organizing, engaging in, facilitating, or promoting any conduct which places or may place another person in danger. (The consent of those hazed will not be accepted as a defense.)”

Hazing and aggravated hazing are also crimes punishable under the provisions of Title 2C of the Statutes of the State of New Jersey. Failure to comply with any of the standards or requirements will be considered a violation of this section of the Code of Conduct.

Subsequent changes in hazing laws are automatically included in the Code of Conduct upon their adoption.

2.  Investigation Process. All allegations of hazing will be investigated by the Public Safety Department. For serious violations of college policies, and where local, state, or federal laws are violated, consultation and referral to local/state/federal law enforcement may be required.

Investigations will be prompt and comprehensive.

Investigative reports are sent to the Office of Student Conduct for review and possible next steps.

3. College Response to Hazing. Any organization found responsible of hazing may be subject to charter revocation and to college, local, state, and federal charges (individual culpability will also be established whenever possible).

When the College suspects hazing is occurring or has reasonable evidence that hazing has occurred, the College will contact national and/or regional officers of the organization(s) involved as applicable as well as consult with Ramapo College Public Safety Department, Mahwah Police Department and/or County Law Enforcement. In response to a hazing allegation, the College may issue an Interim Suspension to the organization, and/or individual(s).