RPI is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus community. Hazing undermines our educational mission and poses a serious risk to the physical and mental health of students. This policy outlines RPI’s zero-tolerance approach to hazing and complies with the requirements of the Stop Campus Hazing Act and applicable federal and state laws, including New York State Education Law Article 129-A and Penal Law §120.16 and §120.17. 

Member recruitment, orientation, education, and development programs should be designed to be constructive and inclusive, fostering a shared understanding of organizational objectives and encouraging active participation within the larger group.  

Hazing Definition 

Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, whether physical, mental, emotional, or psychological, that subjects another person—regardless of willingness—to anything that may abuse, degrade, humiliate, or endanger them, and is done as a condition of initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership in a group or organization, including but not limited to student organizations, athletic teams, club sports teams, fraternities, sororities, bands, or student government. Such acts cause or create a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered during participation in the institution of higher education and RPI. 

Examples of hazing may include, but are not limited to: 

• Forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other substances such as food or liquids.
• Physical restraint, beatings, paddling, whipping, striking, electronic shocking, or placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body
• Sleep deprivation or creation of excessive fatigue.
• Required calisthenics.
• Forced kidnapping, exposure to the elements, or confinement in a small space.
• Forced, coerced, or induced sexual simulations or sexual acts.
• Activities that place another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through verbal abuse or threats.
• Activities causing unreasonable mental stress.
• Required, induced or coerced acts that are degrading or that cause public embarrassment or humiliation.
• Required, induced, or coerced participation in illegal activities.
• Mandatory work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities.
• Activities which are not normally performed by the active membership or not consistent with organizational, local, State, or Federal law, ritual, or policy. 

Prohibited Conduct includes the Following:

• Any form of hazing conducted by individuals or groups affiliated with the Institute.
• Any form of hazing conducted by any group in which two or more members are students enrolled in RPI, regardless of whether the group or organization is established with or recognized by RPI.
• Planning, promoting, facilitating, or knowingly allowing hazing to occur.
• Failing to report known or suspected incidents of hazing. 

This policy applies to behavior occurring both on- and off-campus and at any time during a student’s enrollment. RPI will promptly investigate all allegations of hazing and will take appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action as necessary. Consent is not a defense to hazing under this policy. 

Sanctions 

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including: 

• Probation, suspension, or expulsion for individuals.
• Suspension or revocation of recognition for organizations.
• Referral to law enforcement. 

Retaliation Prohibited 

RPI prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports hazing or participates in an investigation. Acts of retaliation will be treated as separate and serious violations of Institute policy. 

Applicable New York State Laws 

New York State Education Law Article 129-A required higher education institutions to adopt rules to prohibit, among other things, any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization.  

NYS law also prohibits hazing, specifically as follows: 

New York State Penal Law: 

§ 120.16 Hazing in the first degree. 

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, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, 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. 

§ 120.17 Hazing in the second degree. 

A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course  of another person's initiation or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person.   

Hazing in the second degree is a violation.