The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires colleges and universities to disclose hazing incidents in their annual security reports. It mandates institutions to define hazing, compile statistics on reported cases, and establish transparent policies for reporting and prevention.
Under the Act, “Hazing” is:
“[A]ny 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 (I) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and (II) 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.”
Further, “Student Organization” is:
“[A]n 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.”
The Hazing Policy Statement is a statement of current policies relating to hazing, how to report hazing incidents, the process used to investigate hazing incidents, and information on applicable laws on hazing.
The Hazing Prevention Programs and Strategies Statement builds upon the Hazing Policy Statement to include prevention and awareness programs relating to hazing including a description of prevention programs.
Per the Stop Campus Hazing Act, NSCC will issue a Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR) if there has been a finding of a hazing violation committed by a student organization. The CHTR would summarize findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of NSCC Student Code of Conduct as it relates to hazing.
No hazing violations have occurred from:
January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025
Hazing Policy Statement
Hazing, defined below, is prohibited by Massachusetts law M.G.L. ch. 269, §§17 to 19. Institutions of higher education must provide a copy of the Massachusetts hazing law on an annual basis to every student, student group, and student organization.
Hazing is a violation of the North Shore Community College Student Code of Conduct.
Any person may report alleged hazing by completing the report form at the link below or as otherwise indicated in the Student Code of Conduct.
- NSCC Affiliate Form (Sign-in required)
- NSCC Anonymous and Guest Reporting Form (No sign-in required)
North Shore Community College investigates allegations of hazing according to the processes described in the Student Code of Conduct.
“Hazing” means any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.
M.G.L. ch. 269, §17
Hazing Prevention Programs & Strategies Statement
NSCC employs research-informed prevention and awareness programs, strategies and resources related to hazing. The NSCC Hazing Prevention Programs and Strategies Statement builds upon the NSCC Hazing Policy Statement to include prevention, awareness programs and resources relating to hazing, including a description of prevention programs, which is detailed below.
Student Notifications
As part of NSCCs hazing notifications, which are required under Massachusetts law (M.G.L. ch. 269, §§17 to 19), all registered students receive email notifications on a semester-by-semester basis. These notifications include information about the Stop Campus Hazing Act, “Hazing” statistics as documented in the Annual Security Report for the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and links to Hazing Policy Statements, Massachusetts Hazing Law, the Campus Hazing Transparency Report and the Annual Security Report for the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
Student Training
NSCC partners with the Gordie Center to provide Hazing Awareness & Prevention online courses to all registered students. The Hazing Awareness & Prevention courses provide students a better understanding about hazing so that they can identify when it’s happening and possibly prevent incidents in the future.
- Bystander Intervention for Hazing
- Hazing Prevention: 5 Ds for Effective Bystander Intervention
- Hazing Signs: What to Do if You’re Being Hazed
Student Organizations
On an annual basis, student organizations, as defined by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, are provided information about the Stop Campus Hazing Act, “Hazing” statistics as documented in the Annual Security Report and links to Hazing Policy Statements, Massachusetts Hazing Law, the Campus Hazing Transparency Report and the Annual Security Report for the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. Members provide a signature of receipt, review and understanding of the information provided.
Employees
Campus Security Authorities (“CSA”) and other stakeholders are regularly trained on the Act’s definitions of “Hazing” and “Student Organizations”, the need to report “Hazing” and the mechanism available for reporting.