Sorority Hazing — Panhellenic Council (DCPC)

Policy Statement

Panhellenic Council Bylaws Article 9.

Hazing

Hazing is strictly prohibited at Dartmouth College, by both College policy and New Hampshire law. Dartmouth College is first and foremost an educational institution. College hazing prevention policies and response procedures for hazing incidents are based on that educational mission.

All chapters shall educate their new members and initiated members about the New Hampshire and Dartmouth College hazing laws and shall be expected to follow the guidelines of these laws. This education shall take place as a part of an event programmed by the Panhellenic Council, in collaboration with the GLOS office, within the first two weeks following the issuance of bids. Two representatives from the Panhellenic Council Executive Board must be present.

All forms of hazing, pledge day and/or pre­initiation activities that are defined as hazing shall be banned.

Dartmouth College’s definition of hazing includes but is not limited to activities that would fall within the New Hampshire statutory definition of hazing (RSA 631:7). Under New Hampshire law and College policy, hazing is defined as:

“any act directed toward a student, or any coercion or intimidation of a student to act or to participate in an act, when

(1) such act is likely or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any person; and

(2) such act is a condition of initiation into, admission into, continued membership in or association with any organization.”

Dartmouth’s definition of hazing also includes the following activities if they occur as part of initiation or admission into an organization, group or team, or are required for continued membership in an organization, group or team:

• the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
• removing, damaging or destroying property;
• behavior that disrupts College or community activities;
• violating any Standard of Conduct or College policy.

Given the socially coercive nature of initiation, admission and membership­related activities, this definition of hazing applies whether or not the participants or others perceive the behavior as voluntary. The implied or expressed consent of any person toward whom an act of hazing is directed is not a defense. Assertions that the conduct or activity was not part of an official organizational event or was not officially sanctioned or approved by the organization are also not a defense. This definition applies to behavior on or off College property or organization premises.

Accomplice Responsibility

No student, College employee, College volunteer, student organization, athletic team, or other College­recognized group or association should participate in, solicit, direct, aid, conduct or participate as a witness in hazing. A student is responsible for behavior when he or she solicits, aids or attempts to aid another person in planning or committing the behavior.

Group Accountability

An organization or team can only haze through the actions of individual students. However, as outlined in the Group Accountability Statement, organizations have an obligation to uphold the Standards of Conduct and applicable policies, including the Hazing Policy. Organizations that engage in hazing can expect to be held accountable as an organization or team for that activity.

Additional sanctions may apply to an organization, group or team which fails or refuses to identify individual members involved in hazing and/or retaliates against anyone who acts to stop or report hazing activity.