Hazing Policy

This policy is deemed to be part of the by-laws of all organizations operating on the Adelphi University campus. Each organization has the responsibility to review, annually, such by-laws with individuals affiliated with such organizations.

Hazing Regulations

Preamble

Adelphi University opposes hazing (inappropriate or unlawful activity conducted for the purpose of initiation into an organization) in any form by any person or group associated with this University. In recognition of the enactment of Chapter 676 of the Laws of 1980 which amends Section 6450 of the Education Law to prohibit dangerous activity conducted for the purpose of initiation into an affiliation with any organization, the Board of Trustees reaffirms as University policy its opposition to hazing by adoption of the following Rules and the Regulations thereunder:

1. No student, faculty, or staff member, visitor, licensee, invitee, or group or organization of such persons on the Campus of Adelphi University at Garden City, New York, and on any other University property used for educational purposes (collectively called Campus), shall engage in any action or situation which, among other things, recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the enforced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation or entering into an affiliation of any group or organization (to be referred to as the Anti-Hazing Rule).
2. It shall be a condition of any University approval or the continuation of approval for the operation of any group or organization on the Campus that the Anti-Hazing Rule shall be deemed included in the Charter and By-laws of all groups or organizations now, or hereafter, operating on the Campus. A statement acknowledging the inclusion of such prohibited conduct in its Charter and By-laws shall be filed with the Director of the Center for Student and Community Engagement by all groups or organizations operating on the Campus, with respect to presently approved organizations operating on the Campus, such statement shall be filed within 30 days of the first publication of this Anti-Hazing Rule in the Campus Notices and the Delphian, and thereafter within the first 30 days of the commencement of each academic year. A failure to comply with the filing of such statement shall result in the denial of University approval and the right to operate on the Campus of such group or organization, or the recision of any prior approval and right to operate on the Campus, as the case may be.
3. The Anti-Hazing Rule shall be added to and included in the Student Activities Policy Manual of Adelphi University.
4. In addition to any penalty prescribed by the New York Penal Law, the penalty for violation of this Anti-Hazing shall be as follows:
   1. For individual students, faculty, or staff members, violation may result in suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary action.
   2. For visitors, licensees, or invitees, violations will result in ejection from the Campus.
   3. For any group or organization, the violation will result in the recision of any previously issued permission to operate on the Campus or the refusal of permission to operate on the Campus, as the case may be.
   4. The disciplinary procedures leading to the penalty for violation of this Anti-Hazing Rule shall be those continued in the Campus Rule regulating the maintenance of public order on Campus adopted by the University on June 17, 1969 (to be referred to as the Regulation of Public Order on Campus Rule).

Definition of Hazing

Hazing is defined as any action or conduct, on or off the campus, with or without consent which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or creates risk of injury or causes discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, humiliation or ridicule or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership, in any organization, team or other group whether recognized by the University or not.

Such activities and conduct include, but are not limited to, compelling an individual to engage in any illegal activity; forced consumption of alcohol, drugs or any substance; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and/or psychological trauma; wearing apparel in public which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and jokes; participating in treasure or scavenger hunts; morally degrading or humiliating games, activities and events; late night sessions which interfere with scholastic activities or normal sleep patterns; and any other similar activities or conduct which are not consistent with University regulations and policies.

Related Information

Code of Conduct 

Document History

• Last Reviewed Date: January 30, 2023
• Last Revised Date: October 07, 2022
• Policy Origination Date: September 01, 2015

Who Approved This Policy

Sentwali Bakari, Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging