Hazing Policy and Procedure

What is Hazing?

The University of Olivet follows the definitions of hazing established by:

The Stop Campus Hazing Act
The Clery Center
The Stop Hazing Research Lab

Federal Definition (Stop Campus Hazing Act)

Hazing includes any intentional, knowing, or reckless act — committed alone or with others — against a person regardless of their willingness to participate, that:

1. Occurs during initiation into, affiliation with, or ongoing membership in a student organization, and
2. Causes or creates a risk (beyond what’s normally expected in the activity) of physical or psychological injury.

The Act includes examples such as:

• Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking
• Placing harmful substances on a person’s body
• Sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement to small spaces, extreme calisthenics
• Coercing someone to consume food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
• Forcing participation in sexual acts
• Threatening bodily harm
• Any activity involving criminal behavior

Clery Center / StopHazing Definition

As defined in the Olivet Student Handbook, hazing is: “Any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.”

Three key components:

1. It occurs in a group context
2. It humiliates, degrades, or endangers
3. It happens regardless of willingness to participate

What Is a Student Organization?

Under federal law, a student organization includes any group where two or more members are enrolled students, including:

• Clubs and student associations
• Honor societies
• Fraternities and sororities
• Student government
• Bands and performing groups
• Varsity, JV, and club athletic teams
• Any group recognized or unrecognized by the institution

Reporting Hazing

Anyone — including students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, or community members — may report hazing.

Anonymous Reporting
Confidential phone line: 269-749-7142

Submit online anonymously here

Report Directly

Campus Safety (24/7): email here or call 269-749-7911

Dean of Student Life: email here or call 269-749-7579

Emergencies
Call 911 immediately.

Olivet maintains formal procedures for handling all student complaints and concerns. All reports are reviewed promptly and addressed in a timely, effective manner.

What Happens After a Report

Once a report is submitted:

1. Campus Safety or the Dean of Student Life reviews the report promptly.
2. The university begins a fair, consistent investigation aligned with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Olivet policies.
3. Those involved receive clear communication about next steps, rights, and available support.
4. Interim measures may be implemented to ensure safety.
5. If a violation is substantiated, sanctions may include:

• • Educational requirements
  • Probation
  • Removal from leadership or team/organization roles
  • Suspension of organizational activities
  • Loss of university recognition for the organization

Prevention & Education

The University of Olivet is committed to proactive, research-informed hazing prevention.

Current Training & Resources

• Annual hazing awareness training for all students joining a student organization (per federal requirements)
• Athletics training for all varsity, JV, and club teams
• Greek Life and club training
• Online prevention modules (Vector Solutions or similar)
• Staff/faculty education on recognizing signs of hazing
• Bystander intervention programming
• Additional national resources

Requests for training can be made through Student Engagement or Campus Safety.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR)

Federal law requires institutions to publish a report summarizing findings of hazing violations involving student organizations.

An institution is not required to publish or update this report unless there is a substantiated finding.

The University of Olivet Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Reporting Period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Updated December 16, 2025

Compliance With Federal and State Law

The University of Olivet complies with:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act
• Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act
• Higher Education Act
• Michigan state laws related to hazing and student safety
• All associated reporting and training requirements

Campus Contact & Additional Resources

Campus Contacts

Campus Safety (24/7): email here or call 269-749-7911

Dean of Student Life: email here or call 269-749-7579

Resources

Clery Center Hazing Prevention

StopHazing Research Lab