This policy defines hazing, outlines prohibited conduct, and establishes procedures for reporting, investigating, and addressing hazing incidents at Dartmouth.
Dartmouth is first and foremost an educational institution. College hazing prevention policies and response procedures for hazing incidents are based on that educational mission. Hazing is strictly prohibited at Dartmouth, in accordance with Dartmouth policy, New Hampshire law, and federal legislation under the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646). The Stop Campus Hazing Act highlights the importance of transparency and prevention by requiring educational institutions to adopt comprehensive anti-hazing policies and provide accessible reporting mechanisms.
Hazing is an unacceptable and hazardous custom that is incongruous with organizational and community values. It has no place in Dartmouth life, either on or off campus. Because no policy can address, in specific fashion, all possible actions individuals may choose, students and organizations are expected to conduct themselves and their activities in a spirit of social responsibility and respect for others.
Students and other individuals should ask themselves if they could satisfactorily explain a questionable activity to parents, the parents of a fellow student, a Dartmouth official, a police officer, or a judge. If not, then the activity probably constitutes hazing. When in doubt about an activity, students should ask a dean, coach, or other Dartmouth employee who works with student organizations, groups, or teams. They can provide additional examples of behaviors that might constitute hazing, examples of positive group-building activities, assistance with organizing non-hazing events to foster teamwork and cohesiveness, and other relevant information and support.
There are member activities that are positive and educationally valid. There is a wide array of activities in which members of Dartmouth-affiliated groups, organizations, and teams can engage that positively nurture camaraderie and team building, promote the development of self-esteem, and develop unity, connectedness, and a sense of belonging.
Because it is not always clear to individuals which activities are unacceptable and constitute hazing, student leaders and members of student groups should consult with groups' advisors, coaches, or other Dartmouth officials responsible for the program or activity in advance of the planned event. Activities that detract from the goal of fostering the personal and intellectual development of our students have no place on our campus. Dartmouth hazing prevention policies and response procedures for hazing incidents are based on that educational mission.
Complainant: A person who has reported a potential violation of this policy.
Complaint: A document submitted to EOATIX by the Complainant or Third-Party Reporter alleging that a Respondent engaged in Prohibited Conduct and requesting a Formal Resolution.
Confidential Resources: Those professionals designated in Section III who have been designated by Dartmouth as being able to hear and keep information confidential.
Education Program or Activity: This includes all of Dartmouth's operations, including locations, events, or circumstances over which Dartmouth exercised substantial control over both the Respondent and the context in which the conduct occurs; and any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by Dartmouth. Examples include Dartmouth-sponsored, Dartmouth-funded, or otherwise Dartmouth-supported study off campus, research, internship, mentorship, summer session, conferences, meetings, social events, or other affiliated programs or premises.
Faculty: The term faculty includes all faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and non-faculty academic staff (such as Research Associates, Research Fellows, and Research Scientists) including all exempt and non-exempt positions, bargaining unit positions, as well as those adjunct and visiting faculty, clinicians, and research or health scientists who are not employed by Dartmouth but have Dartmouth faculty, affiliate, postdoctoral, or house staff appointments for the purpose of teaching and/or research at Dartmouth, such as but not limited to the Geisel School of Medicine.
Hazing: Hazing includes, but is not limited to, activities that would fall within the New Hampshire statutory definition of hazing (RSA 631:7) or the federal definition established under the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646). Under New Hampshire law and this policy, hazing is defined as:
"Any act directed toward a student, or any coercion[1] or intimidation of a student to act or to participate in an act, when:
Dartmouth also includes the following activities under hazing if they occur as part of initiation or admission into an organization, group or team, or are required for continued membership in an organization, group or team:
Even when demeaning or embarrassing behaviors do not appear overtly harmful in themselves, as where the participants appear to engage in them willingly, they may constitute hazing if they are part of an organization's initiation or activities involving members and if they are likely to produce mental or physical discomfort, regret, stress, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. The determination of whether a particular activity constitutes hazing will depend on the circumstances and context in which that activity is occurring.
Hazing applies whether the participants or others perceive the behavior as "voluntary." The implied or expressed consent of any person toward whom an act of hazing is directed is not a defense. Assertions that the conduct or activity was not part of an official organizational event or was not officially sanctioned or approved by the organization are also not a defense. Hazing applies to behavior on or off Dartmouth property or organization premises.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646), defines hazing as:
"Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against another person or persons, regardless of the willingness of such persons to participate, that:
Invitees: Alumni, visitors, volunteers, or guests of Dartmouth, including prospective Students or Applicants for employment.
Recognized Student Organization: A student organization that has applied for and received recognition through an approved sponsoring Dartmouth unit. [See the Policy on Student Organizations.]
Respondent: A person who is alleged to have violated this policy.
Staff: An individual employed in a union or non-union position at Dartmouth.
Student: An individual enrolled as a student in the School of Arts & Sciences, the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, the Geisel School of Medicine, the Thayer School of Engineering, or the Tuck School of Business. For the purposes of this policy, Student includes visiting students and special students.
Student Organization: For purposes of this Policy, a Student Organization is any group or organization at Dartmouth in which two or more members are enrolled Dartmouth students. Student Organizations include but are not limited to Recognized Student Organizations, varsity athletics teams, club and intramural sports teams, fraternities, sororities, secret societies, and student government. A group/organization does not need to be established or recognized by Dartmouth to fall within the scope of this Policy.[2]
Third-Party Reporter: A person who is a witness or has actual knowledge regarding a potential violation of this policy. If that party reports conduct experienced by another, then they are a Third-Party Reporter.
Dartmouth is committed to making reasonable efforts to protect the privacy interests of Complainants, Respondents and/or other individuals involved in a report under this policy.
Privacy: Information related to a report of hazing under this policy may only be shared with a limited number of individuals who "need to know", in order to ensure the prompt, equitable, and impartial review and/or investigation and resolution of the report. However, in the event of a report indicating an imminent threat of harm to self or others, information will be promptly shared with the Department of Safety and Security and/or local law enforcement.
Confidentiality: For the purposes of this policy, confidentiality means that campus or community professionals with the statutorily granted ability to maintain information as privileged cannot reveal identifiable information shared by an individual to any other person without express permission of the individual, or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Those campus and community professionals who have the ability to maintain privileged communications and keep information confidential, while acting in their licensed capacity, referred to as Confidential Resources, include:
These individuals are required to maintain confidentiality when they receive information in any of the above capacities, unless (i) given permission to do so by the person who disclosed the information; (ii) there is an imminent threat of harm to self or others; (iii) the conduct involves suspected abuse of a minor under the age of 18; or (iv) as otherwise required or permitted by law or court order.
The Dartmouth Ombudsperson is also considered a Confidential Resource for graduate and professional students, but certain exceptions apply to the role. Specifically:
Clery Act Reporting: Pursuant to the Clery Act, Dartmouth includes statistics about Clery-defined crimes in its daily crime log and Annual Security Report and provides those statistics to the United States Department of Education; in all these instances, the information is reported in a manner that does not include personally identifying information about persons involved in an incident. Dartmouth also reports aggregate numbers of incidents (with no detail or personally identifying information) disclosed to Confidential Resources. Dartmouth will also issue a Timely Warning to the community for reports of Clery-defined conduct that may constitute a serious and ongoing threat, as outlined in the Annual Security Report.
Note that for Clery Act reporting requirements, a failed attempt to commit a crime is no different from successfully committing the crime and must be reported.
This policy and process applies broadly to individuals who are part of the Dartmouth community, including faculty, staff, and students (See Definitions section).
Alumni, visitors, volunteers, and guests of Dartmouth, including prospective students and student employment applicants (collectively, "Invitees"), may be protected under this policy as complainants in hazing cases. While invitees cannot be formally named as respondents under this policy, they may be contacted as part of the investigative process if alleged to have engaged in hazing. Additionally, Invitees are expected to adhere to Dartmouth's hazing policy, New Hampshire law, and federal law while on campus. Violations may result in actions by Dartmouth, including but not limited to restrictions on campus access, other institutional measures, and referral to law enforcement.
Dartmouth offers professional resources for Students, Faculty, and Staff (whether they are Complainants, Third-Party Reporters, or Respondents) to provide support and guidance throughout the initiation, investigation, and resolution of a report of Hazing. Individuals with questions or concerns about Dartmouth's process may contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX directly to learn about the process of reporting the conduct to Dartmouth, local and/or state agencies. Any individual who is uncertain what they wish to do in response to an alleged incident of hazing, including how or whether to report the conduct, may also contact and consult a Confidential Resource to address questions and concerns in a confidential setting.
Any individual may make a report of Hazing under this policy regardless of affiliation with Dartmouth and regardless of whether the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct. Reports can be made in person or by mail, telephone, or electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Office of Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX (EOATIX), or the Department of Safety and Security, or through the Dartmouth Integrity Helpline; a report pertaining to this policy is considered received EOATIX acknowledges the person's verbal or written report.
Dartmouth is committed to educating and informing individual(s) regarding the choices and options available to them, including resources and processes inside and outside Dartmouth. Dartmouth is committed to protecting all participants in any review, investigation or proceeding related to this policy from retaliation. An individual may choose to seek assistance, support, or guidance from a Confidential Resource on campus or in the community. A disclosure to a Confidential Resource does not constitute a report to Dartmouth.
Hazing that occurred prior to the adoption of this Policy will be reviewed under the policy and/or provision in effect at the time of the alleged infraction (when reasonably available). Hazing incidents will be resolved through the applicable procedures in effect at the time of the alleged infraction.
A report may be made by a Complainant or a Third-Party Reporter to the Designated Reporting Options outlined below.
Designated Reporting Options: The resources listed below are considered Designated Reporting Options; they are available to constituent groups to provide varying levels of support. These resources are provided notice of their responsibilities under this policy and are expected to notify the Office of Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX (EOATIX) of any reports of hazing made to them. Making an initial report to a person listed below and/or to EOATIX does not constitute a formal complaint nor does it require the person bringing forward the concern to decide whether to request a specific course of action. Deciding how to proceed can be a process that unfolds over time with support and assistance of trained EOATIX staff.
Anonymous Reporting: Anyone can make an anonymous report through the Campus Hazing Incident Report Form or Dartmouth Integrity Helpline. The Dartmouth Integrity Helpline is a telephone and web-based confidential reporting tool. The Helpline allows any person to report concerns and communicate with Dartmouth administrators while maintaining anonymity. Depending on the nature of the information provided, Dartmouth's ability to respond may be limited.
Time Frame for Reporting: There is no time limit on reporting violations of this policy, although Dartmouth's ability to investigate and respond fully may become more limited with the passage of time. If the Respondent is no longer affiliated with Dartmouth (e.g., a report is made after a student has left or graduated or an employee no longer works for Dartmouth), Dartmouth will still provide reasonably available supports to the Complainant, assist the Complainant in identifying external reporting options, and may use the reported information to enhance overall programming and supports for protected class groups.
Individuals should not use the designated reporting options outlined this policy to report emergencies. Incidents where safety is of concern should be directed to the Dartmouth Department of Safety and Security at (603) 646-4000, the Hanover Police Department at (603) 646-2222, the Lebanon Police Department at (603) 448-1212, the Norwich Police Department at (802) 649-1460, or 911.
Upon receipt of a hazing report, Dartmouth will review the submitted documentation and/or reach out to the reporting party or Complainant to conduct an Initial Assessment of the reported information. The purpose of the Initial Assessment is to determine whether the allegations, if true, may be a potential violation of the hazing policy. The Initial Assessment seeks to gather information only to determine whether this policy applies to the report and in no way represents a finding of fact or responsibility.
In conducting an Initial Assessment, these factors are considered holistically to determine whether there was a violation of the Hazing Policy:
Dartmouth may implement interim action steps prior to completing a formal resolution process based on the nature of the alleged conduct. EOATIX makes recommendations to implement interim actions on a case-by-case basis to the appropriate Dean, divisional or department leader, or Human Resources representative, who shall decide which interim actions to take pursuant to any applicable process depending on the Respondent's category.
Interim actions against individual respondents or groups may include but are not limited to:
Failure to comply with an interim measure constitutes a violation of this Policy.
Filing a Complaint
Regardless of how a complaint reaches EOATIX and the medium in which the complaint is made, the Office will document every complaint, any actions taken in response to the complaint, and the resolution, by the method described below; and will retain copies of all reports generated as a result of any investigation. These records will be kept private to the extent required or permitted by law. Complainants and Respondents shall have access to their respective records to the extent required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and/or New Hampshire legal requirements for access to personnel records.
Upon initiation of an investigation, the investigator will gather all relevant information related to the reported hazing incident. Rather than determining whether a policy violation has occurred, the investigator's role is to collect and document sufficient information to allow a hearing officer to make a determination based on the preponderance of the evidence. The investigation will focus on gathering facts, interviewing relevant parties, and compiling evidence to ensure a thorough and impartial review of the allegations.
Any Dartmouth student identified as a potential witness must cooperate fully in the course of the investigation or disposition of possible violations of this policy or any Standard of Conduct. Cooperation may include meeting or communicating with Safety and Security, Community Standards and Accountability, deans, or other Dartmouth officials as requested. It is an expectation that students with information about possible violations of community standards respond and participate when called. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
A. Notice of Investigation
Prior to the start of the investigation, all involved parties and relevant witnesses will receive a written notice stating that a complaint alleging hazing has been made. The notice will include the date and time of a scheduled meeting with an investigator and will outline expectations for participation.
B. Investigation
EOATIX may undertake any steps they determine to be appropriate in seeking to investigate and resolve a complaint, including but not limited to: consulting with any other campus office on a confidential basis; meeting with all of the parties, reviewing records provided by all of the parties, or meeting with witnesses identified by one or both of the parties; or appointing a trained internal or external investigator to conduct a confidential, prompt, thorough, fair, and impartial investigation resulting in written findings of fact and determinations of the violation of any applicable law or any Dartmouth policy or standard.
During this process, the parties have the right to be accompanied to meetings or conversations with EOATIX or the investigator by a single advisor/observer who is not otherwise involved in the circumstances underlying the complaint, or responsible—for example, by virtue of a position at Dartmouth or membership on a committee—for taking current or future action in response to the complaint. Advisors/observers may not actively participate by answering questions or making presentations on behalf of the parties and are limited to advising the parties privately. Advisors/observers are subject to the same confidentiality obligations applicable to the parties.
An investigation shall normally be completed within 60 business days from the notification to the parties of the selection of the investigator or EOATIX's disposition of any challenges to the selection of the investigator. An investigative timeline can be extended by EOATIX for good cause. The investigator may conduct interviews with, and request relevant documents, emails, text messages, photos, or other records from, the parties and any witnesses. At any point appropriate supportive measures may be granted.
Throughout the investigation process, the investigator shall provide the parties with the following, along with reasonable time frames for the completion of each step:
C. Investigation Report
The investigator will produce a written investigation report that contains relevant information and facts gathered during the investigation. This report may include direct observations, reasonable inferences drawn from the facts, and a discussion of any consistencies or inconsistencies between various sources of information. The investigator has the discretion to determine the relevance of any witness or evidence and shall exclude information deemed irrelevant, immaterial, or more prejudicial than informative. The report will provide a fair and thorough summary of all relevant information gathered that supports or detracts from the accounts of the Complainant, Third-Party reported, Respondent, or other witnesses.
Throughout the investigation, parties will have opportunities to submit documentation and relevant information. After completing the fact-gathering process, the investigator will prepare a final investigation report.
The final report will be shared with the appropriate student-affairs dean located in the graduate or professional school that the respondent(s) are enrolled. For undergraduates, the Office of Community Standards & Accountability will receive the investigation report. If the matter involved a Greek organization, the report will also be shared simultaneously with the Director of Greek Life.
Upon completion of the final report, EOATIX transfers the matter to the appropriate student-affairs dean in the graduate and professional schools in which the respondent(s) are enrolled for hearing and resolution. For undergraduates, the matter is referred to the Office of Community Standards & Accountability to conduct any remaining processes and procedures related to adjudication and potential disciplinary actions.
A Student found Responsible for hazing in violation of this Policy is subject to disciplinary action. Any disciplinary action will be proportionate to the frequency and severity of the conduct and is intended to remedy the policy violation and prevent its recurrence. The relevant student-affairs deans in the graduate and professional schools will determine the appropriate sanction. For undergraduates, the Office of Community Standards & Accountability will determine the appropriate sanction. All sanctions will be in accordance with the Committee on Standards (COS) Conduct Sanctions policy.
All appeals shall be handled in accordance with the Committee on Standards disciplinary procedure policies (for undergraduates) or the policies of the relevant graduate and professional school(s).
If a Respondent withdraws or separates from Dartmouth at any time after a report has been made, Dartmouth may continue with any of the processes for formal resolution, even without the Respondent's participation. The determination as to how to resolve the report once a Respondent is no longer affiliated with Dartmouth will be based on EOATIX's assessment of the actions necessary to meet the Policy obligations, in consultation with other institutional officials as appropriate.
If a Student Respondent withdraws from Dartmouth after Dartmouth has begun an investigation but prior to a finding or resolution, an entry may, when circumstances warrant, be made on the Respondent's transcript that indicates they withdrew with a disciplinary investigation or Complaint pending. As noted above, Dartmouth may elect to continue with the investigation.
Behavior that violates this policy also may violate the laws of the local jurisdiction in which the incident occurred and subject a Respondent to criminal prosecution by the presiding authority. An individual can choose to make a report to external law enforcement at any time and doing so does not preclude the individual from making a report to Dartmouth. Both processes can be pursued if an individual chooses to do so. Dartmouth encourages individuals to report an incident that may be a violation of New Hampshire State Law to local or state authorities. Prompt reporting to external law enforcement is important in a criminal prosecution.
Policy Transparency and Accessibility
Detail the timeline of the incident, investigation, and final findings, while excluding personally identifiable information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
XVI. Education and Prevention
A. Educational Programs
A variety of Dartmouth departments and offices are conducting ongoing educational activities to promote positive group identity and prevent hazing behavior. Educational activities will occur throughout the academic year. These programs will include information on Dartmouth's hazing policies and reporting procedures, and primary prevention strategies such as bystander intervention, ethical leadership training, and non-hazing group cohesion activities. Training related to hazing will routinely be made available to the Dartmouth community as well as be available upon request.
B. Review of Member Education Activities
All member education programs must be reviewed in advance by the appropriate department responsible for overseeing the organization, group or team involved. The department will consider whether the proposed activity constitutes hazing as defined above and also whether the activity is likely to produce or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to produce mental or physical discomfort, stress, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Organizations, groups, and teams may not engage in any member activities that have not been reviewed by the responsible department.
To promote student safety throughout the year, the Department of Safety and Security will conduct unscheduled and unannounced walk-throughs, similar to those currently conducted under the AMP policy. Random walk-throughs will follow existing protocols, but will be unscheduled and unannounced.
These walk-throughs will cover common spaces in all Dartmouth residential buildings, including residence halls, affinity houses, undergraduate societies, and Greek-letter organizations. Private rooms will not be subject to walk-throughs, consistent with current practice, and student guides will accompany officers on walk-throughs conducted in fraternities and sororities whenever possible. Random walk-throughs of common residential spaces will occur several times a week across the campus, throughout the year.
A student who reports activity that may fall within the definition of hazing and who cooperates fully as a witness in the investigation and disciplinary process will not be subject to Dartmouth disciplinary sanctions even if their own conduct violated the hazing policy, unless the conduct the student engaged in caused, directly or indirectly, physical harm, psychological harm, or property damage to another. Students who choose to report and request immunity for their own conduct under this policy should know that they may be liable for criminal and civil penalties that are beyond Dartmouth's control.
Members of an organization, group or team who are concerned that some of the organization's activities do not comply with Dartmouth's hazing policy may consult their supervising department head (e.g. Athletics, Collis, Greek Life & Student Societies, Outdoor Program Office) confidentially for guidance. Under the Fresh Start program, an organization that fully discloses past or recent behavior in violation of the Hazing Policy may receive assistance as the group develops a new plan to replace the activities in question. With this disclosure, and full implementation of the program, the organization will not face Dartmouth disciplinary action for the activities disclosed, unless the conduct contributed to causing physical harm to others. Organizations, groups, or teams who choose to report and request amnesty for their conduct under this policy should know that they may be liable for criminal and civil penalties that are beyond Dartmouth's control.
Individuals and organizations may be subject to criminal prosecution for violation of the New Hampshire law prohibiting hazing as well as review under Dartmouth policy, which encompasses federal anti-hazing law. Conduct or events that may constitute hazing will be referred to EOATIX for initial assessment and investigation. Upon completion of an investigation, EOATIX will transfer the matter to the appropriate student-affairs dean(s) in the school(s) in which the respondent(s) are enrolled for hearing, resolution, and any sanctions.
Individual students found responsible for violations of this policy should be prepared for significant individual sanctions, up to and including suspension or permanent separation from Dartmouth.
Student Organizations found responsible for violations of this policy should be prepared for significant organizational sanctions, up to and including, loss of member recruitment privileges, suspension or revocation of organizational activity and/or recognition. The full range of possible sanctions for individual and organizational violations of this policy may be found in the relevant school(s)' student handbook.
Accomplice Responsibility
No student, Dartmouth employee, Dartmouth volunteer, alumni, Student Organization or other Dartmouth-recognized group or association should participate in, solicit, direct, aid, conduct or participate as a witness in hazing.
Dartmouth community members are individually responsible for behaviors when they solicit, aid or attempt to aid another person in planning or committing the behavior.
Group Accountability
Student Organizations have an obligation to uphold the standards of conduct of the relevant school(s) and applicable policies, including the Hazing Policy. Organizations that engage in hazing can expect to be held accountable as an organization or team for that activity. For undergraduates, group accountability is outlined in the Group Accountability Statement.
Additional sanctions may apply to a Student Organization or group that fails or refuses to identify the individual(s) involved in hazing and/or retaliates against anyone who acts to stop, report, participate in an investigation of hazing activity.
Hazing harms individuals, limits the development of genuine and trusting relationships within an organization, and is a violation of Dartmouth policy, NH State law, and Federal law. Additionally, anyone can be sued in civil court for damages that result from the mental and/or physical harm caused by hazing.
This policy may be revoked or amended by Dartmouth, in whole or in part, from time to time, via the Office of Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX (EOATIX), which is authorized to make revocations or amendments on behalf of Dartmouth, in consultation with the Vice President of EOATIX, the Provost, and the Executive Vice President. Any such revocation or amendment shall become effective upon adoption by EOATIX, or as of such other time as EOATIX shall specify and will be reflected in the current version of the policy posted within the Dartmouth Policy Portal. Questions or disputes regarding the application, interpretation or implementation of this policy shall be resolved by EOATIX; the decision of such office on the matter shall be binding on Dartmouth and all individuals subject to this policy.
[1] Coercion: compulsion by physical force or threats of physical force. Black's Law Dictionary.
[2] Student Organization is defined under the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646) "any 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."