Anti-Hazing Policy

Anti-Hazing Policy Statement

Hazing is abusive, degrading, psychologically damaging, and may be life-threatening. It is unacceptable in all forms and has no place in the Iona University community. Student groups, organizations, and athletic teams are important contributors to a vibrant and positive campus life and are expected to act in accordance with the Iona University Student Code of Conduct and to treat others with respect. Hazing by individuals and student organizations is prohibited in any form both on campus and off campus.

Definitions

1. Hazing

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:

Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury. The following are non-exhaustive examples of conduct that causes or creates such a risk:
- Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
- Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
- Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of applicable local, New York State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
- Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
- Applicable local, State, and/or Tribal laws related to hazing including:
  
  New York State Hazing Laws:
  https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/120.16
  Hazing in the first degree: §120.16
  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, they 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 such injury.
  Hazing in the first degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
  Hazing in the second degree: §120.17
  A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation or affiliation with any organization, they intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.
  Hazing in the second degree is a violation.

2. Student Organization

An 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.

3. Reporting Incidents of Hazing

Iona University encourages the reporting of incidents of hazing and takes every such report seriously. It will investigate all reports diligently and thoroughly in accordance with the Iona Student Handbook, Code of Conduct, and applicable procedures of the Dean of Students office and Campus Safety. Individuals found responsible for committing, soliciting, encouraging, directing, aiding, or recklessly permitting hazing to occur will be subject to disciplinary sanction that could include suspension or expulsion.

How to Report Hazing
Any person may report hazing in person, by mail, by telephone or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed:
Iona University Campus Safety: 914-633-2560 LaPenta Student Union Room 214
Adrian Navarrete, Director of Campus Safety anavarrete@iona.edu
Dean of Students Office 914-633-2360 LaPenta Student Union Room 203
Liz Olivieri-Lenahan, Associate Dean of Students eolivieri@iona.edu
or by utilizing the Iona University General Incident On-Line Reporting Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?IonaUniv&layout_id=1
Private and Confidential Reporting
Iona University will respect the privacy of reporters but cannot guarantee confidentiality for hazing reports. The information you provide to a non-confidential resource will be relayed only as necessary to investigate and/or seek a resolution and/or to comply with other appropriate Iona University policies and procedures, and any federal, state and/or local laws, rules and regulations. Iona University will limit the disclosure as much as possible, even if the institution determines that the request for confidentiality cannot be honored.
Offices and officials who are confidential resources will not report to law enforcement or university officials without a complainant/reporting party's permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency. Iona University offices that are considered confidential are as follows: Iona University Counseling Center, Health Services, Iona University Chaplain during Confession

4. Amnesty Related to Hazing Reports

Iona University recognizes that students are sometimes reluctant to report hazing activity, due to a fear of potential consequences for their own conduct. For this reason, the University has adopted an amnesty policy which states that a student who acts in good faith to report activity that may fall within the definition of hazing and/or a victim who cooperates fully as a witness in the investigation and disciplinary process may not be subject to student conduct sanctions related to their own participation in hazing behavior and other behavior including related to alcohol and/or drug violations, as determined by the University in its sole discretion.

In the event amnesty is granted for self-reported behaviors, if evidence is presented that the student has continued to engage in hazing behaviors or has knowledge of hazing activity that was not reported, they may be held accountable for past behavior. Students who choose to report and request amnesty for their own conduct should know that amnesty does not apply to any criminal or civil action that may be taken by any law enforcement agency, including local police departments.

5. Investigation Process

After a report is received, Iona University Campus Safety and/or the Dean of Students Office will quickly review the submission and determine the next appropriate actions. If a report is criminal in nature, University Campus Safety and/or local law enforcement will be contacted. Iona University will also conduct its own investigation to prevent a recurrence of the alleged hazing and to determine if there are potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct and/or any other applicable processes depending upon the nature of the complaint.

6. Retaliation

No person may intimidate, threaten, coerce or discriminate against any individual because the individual made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Hazing Policy and Procedure. Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed with the Dean of Students office and/or Human Resources.

Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programs Policy

Iona University Hazing Prevention and Awareness Program Policy is grounded in research-informed campus-wide prevention programs designed to reach students staff and faculty including: 1) information related to institutional policies against hazing; and 2) primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before it occurs, which may include skill building for bystander intervention, information on ethical leadership, and the promotion of strategies for building group cohesion without hazing.

Iona University is committed to providing hazing prevention and awareness programs. Campus Wide prevention programs for students includes but is not limited to:

Vector Solutions Hazing module required by all new Iona Undergraduate students as part of the New Student Orientation program curriculum;
Vector Solutions Hazing module required by student leaders including all presidents, captains, and officers of Student Organizations. This includes clubs, fraternities, sororities, club sports, and performing arts organizations.
Vector Solutions Student Athlete Hazing module for all members of athletics programs and club sports teams
University Wide Anti-Hazing working group convened by the Dean of Students and the Office of the General Counsel and comprised of representatives of campus departments with responsibilities in this area. Representation may include the Dean of Students Office, Campus Safety, Title IX/Human Resources, Athletics, Center for Student Engagement including Fraternity & Sorority Life, Club Sports, Performing Arts, Residential Life, and the Office of Mission and Ministry (OMM). This group will review and implement annual Hazing Prevention strategies and programming.
Additional in-person and online Hazing prevention programs may be administered on an annual or semiannual basis including but not limited to National Anti-Hazing Week programming, Joint Student Leadership Training sessions, and campus speakers and activities.
Prevention and Awareness programs for faculty and staff include trainings mandated by Human Resources. Training includes but is not limited to Vector Solutions training modules for Campus Safety supervisors, staff of the Athletics department and Club Sports, and appropriate personnel from Student Affairs administration and departments.

Updated June 2025