Hazing Policies & Procedures

Approved Date
07/16/2025
Summary

Hazing is abusive, degrading, and psychologically damaging, and may be life-threatening. It is unacceptable in all forms and has no place in the SUNY at Old Westbury Community. Student groups, organizations, and athletic teams are important to a vibrant and positive campus life and are expected to act in accordance with the 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. SUNY at Old Westbury has ZERO tolerance for hazing.

Policy Elaboration

What is 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. 

Reporting Hazing and Investigation Process  

SUNY at Old Westbury encourages the reporting of incidents of hazing and takes every report seriously. It will investigate all reports diligently and thoroughly in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and/or other applicable policies and procedures. 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. Any person may report hazing in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic email using contact information below or by using the link below.  

Report hazing incidents

SUNY at Old Westbury will respect the privacy of the 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 SUNY at Old Westbury policies and procedures, and any federal, state and/or local laws, rules and regulations. SUNY at Old Westbury 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 health, and or safety emergency.  

Investigation Process 

After a report is received, SUNY at Old Westbury will quickly review the submission and determine the next appropriate action. If a report is criminal in nature, University Police and/or local law enforcement will be contacted. SUNY at Old Westbury 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. 

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 Office of Student Conduct and/or Human Resources. Any reports of retaliation involving an employee covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement will be addressed through the appropriate processes. 

Hazing Prevention and Awareness 

The Office of Community Standards, The Center for Student Leadership, Involvement, and Athletics will be conducting serious hazing programming events starting September 2025. Find a list of educational programs related to hazing.

All student leaders will be going through a series of student conduct and campus hazing awareness trainings in the month of August 2025.  

Hazing Report for 2024-2025

No Hazing cases were reported to SUNY Old Westbury for 2024-2025 academic year.  

Additional Hazing Awareness Resources  

Policy Contacts