In support of the well-being of our students and in accordance with Massachusetts law and the Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024, all forms of hazing are strictly prohibited at Framingham State University.
What is Hazing?
“Hazing” is defined under this policy as any non-accidental, costly aspect(s) of group induction activities that:
a) do not appear to be group-relevant assessments/preparations, and/or;
b) are excessive, dangerous, or degrading in their application or constitute violations of local, state or federal law or any other Framingham State University policy, regardless of the consent of the participants
For the purposes of this policy, “hazing” also includes observation of hazing activities by individuals in a position to intervene but who fail to intervene, including organization officers/leaders who are aware of planned hazing activities and who condone and/or fail to prevent that hazing from occurring, regardless of their participation.
“Group induction activities” are those tasks formally or informally required to obtain or maintain membership and/or participatory legitimacy for new, prospective or current members and/or to attain progressive membership status and/or leadership positions within the student organization.
A “student organization” is defined in this policy as an organization in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at Framingham State University, whether or not the organization is established or formally recognized by the University. Examples of such organizations include: clubs, honor societies, varsity athletic or club sports teams, Student Government Association, etc.
Hazing has also been defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, specifically stated under MGL Chapter 269, sections 17 – 19, as seen below:
“Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
“The term “hazing” as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean 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.
“Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.
“Section 18. Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.
“Section 19. Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of post-secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations.
“Each such group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution an attested acknowledgement stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.
“Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post-secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.
“Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post-secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to its students. The board of higher education and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.”
How to Report Hazing
Who Receives Reports of Hazing?
There are multiple avenues by which someone can report hazing at Framingham State University. The Dean of Students Office, The Center for Student Experience and the Office of Community Standards are all available during the University’s business hours for anyone who would like to make an in-person report to a staff member. If you would like to speak with a staff member, walk-in appointments may be available or you are welcome to schedule an appointment using the contact information below:
Dean of Students Office (McCarthy 504)
Email: deanofstudents [at] framingham.edu (deanofstudents[at]framingham[dot]edu)
Phone: (508) 626-4596
Center for Student Experience (McCarthy 418)
Email: exp [at] framingham.edu (exp[at]framingham[dot]edu)
Phone: (508) 626-4615
Office of Community Standards (McCarthy 518)
Email: communitystandards [at] framingham.edu (communitystandards[at]framingham[dot]edu)
Phone: (508) 626-4645
Reports may also be made electronically to any of the above listed offices by sending an email to the associated address and including the following:
a) a narrative describing the incident(s),
b) all available information on the specific date(s), time(s), and location(s) which the alleged hazing occurred, and
c) the name(s) of involved parties, if available
For reports associated with Athletic teams, hazing may also be reported to the Deputy Director of Athletics by placing a call to (508) 626-4565 or sending an email to Carey Eggen (ceggen [at] framingham.edu).
The Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD) is able to receive reports of hazing 24 hours a day and can readily investigate any matter which may involve a crime, including hazing. Reports can be made either at the FSUPD station on the first floor of the McCarthy Center, via phone by calling (508) 626-4911, or emailing fsupolice [at] framingham.edu.?
What Happens Once You File a Report?
Once a report of hazing has been made, the department which received that report will forward the report to the Dean of Students Office for case management. The Dean of Students Office will then collaborate with the receiving department to determine next steps in processing the complaint, which may include direct communication with the reporting party to further discuss the report. Accordingly, parties that report an instance of hazing should monitor their FSU email account for communications from FSU staff members seeking to follow up on a report. Further information on how the University addresses incidents of hazing is described below, under “How is Hazing Addressed?”
Federal regulations and University policy require that information regarding student records, including disciplinary records and ongoing investigations, be kept private. As a result, FSU staff members may be prohibited from sharing specific information or details of a case with the reporting party as it is being processed or even once the case associated with the report is resolved. However, administrators may provide status updates via FSU email to reporting parties as a case is managed and will notify the reporting party once the University has resolved its management of the report.
A Note on Medical Amnesty
Framingham State University views student health and safety as matters of paramount importance. The University Alcohol and Drug Policies reflect this priority by prohibiting the use of substances in a manner which is dangerous and/or unlawful. Similarly, this policy promotes the health and safety of students through the prohibition of hazing activities. However, it is important to understand that the University’s enforcement of these policies is not contrary to the University’s priority of student health and safety.
The Medical Amnesty Policy serves as a supplement to the University’s Hazing, Alcohol and Drug Policies and is designed to encourage help-seeking behavior for individuals requiring medical assistance. When students contact University Police or another appropriate University staff member (e.g. Student Desk Attendant (SDA), Resident Assistant (RA), etc.) seeking medical attention neither the reporting student nor the student for whom medical assistance was sought will be subject to a Student Conduct complaint for possession, consumption or intoxication under the University’s alcohol or drug policies. Students are encouraged to call (508) 626-4911 to request medical assistance when they or others may be dangerously intoxicated/under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or experiencing any medical emergency, regardless of whether hazing contributed to the emergency.
The Medical Amnesty Policy provides amnesty from consequences described in the Student Code of Conduct and does not preclude hospitalization, protective custody, interim separation, or other actions deemed relevant for student safety. Amnesty applies to University alcohol and drug policy violations related to possession, consumption, and intoxication. It does not prevent a complaint being filed against a student for other violations of the Student Code of Conduct (e.g. assault, distribution of illegal substances, etc.), nor does it prevent police/criminal action.
Prohibition on Retaliation
It is a violation of this policy to retaliate or take adverse action towards any person for reporting an alleged violation of this policy or for participating in or otherwise cooperating with an investigation related to this policy. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, verbal or implied threats, physical or psychological abuse, intimidation, harassment (verbal, written or electronic), isolation or any other action intended to create a hostile environment for the intended target of the retaliation.
How is Hazing Addressed?
When hazing is reported, the Dean of Students or designee will first determine whether or not interim action is necessary for the safety and well-being of community members. Interim actions may include, but are not limited to interim separation, temporary suspension of student organization activities, revocation of privileges, residence hall relocation, implementation of No Communication Directives, etc.
Allegations of hazing are forwarded to the Office of Community Standards for investigation and adjudication of involved parties. Hazing is primarily addressed through the adjudication of individuals’ behaviors by way of due process via the University’s facilitation of hearings, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. If the alleged behavior is deemed to have been conducted on behalf of a student organization, the Office of Community Standards will also determine, as part of its investigation of the complaint, whether or not that organization would also be sanctioned in the event of a “responsible” finding. When such a finding is reached, the Coordinator of Community Standards confers with the supervising administrator for the student organization (e.g., Executive Director of the Center for Student Experience, Deputy Director of Athletics, Director of Residence Life, etc.) to determine sanctions in consultation. Student organizations are sanctioned when they aid, abet, incite, organize, approve or otherwise participate in any behaviors associated with the alleged hazing that would constitute policy violations.
The University publishes a Campus Hazing Transparency Report twice per year which summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to have been in violation of this Hazing Policy. This report is made available on myFramingham and the University’s website. Data from the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, as well as a summary of this policy and the University’s prevention efforts are also made available in the University’s Annual Security Report, published by the Framingham State University Police Department.
Notably, the conduct resolution process managed by the Office of Community Standards does not preclude or replace an investigation by the Framingham State University Police or other law enforcement agency. The processing of a conduct complaint also does not preclude a criminal or civil complaint from being processed through a court of law, as University processes are entirely separate from those processes managed by courts.
Hazing Prevention
Framingham State University engages its community members in research-informed programming that is designed to develop skills in the identification and prevention of hazing:
- All incoming first-year and transfer students must complete an educational module on hazing as part of their online “Join The Herd” training prior to enrollment.
- Students hired for on-campus roles within the Ram Peer Leaders umbrella are required to complete an educational module on hazing if not already completed at the time of hire.
- Bystander Intervention training sessions are offered multiple times during the academic year and are available to all students, faculty and staff. Sessions are advertised via email and RamLink, as well as through on-campus postings.
- Student organization executive board members receive annual training on ethical leadership and positive strategies to promote group cohesion.