Any 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:

• Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
• 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. The following are non-exhaustive examples of conduct that causes or creates such a risk:
• Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
• Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
• Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of applicable local, New York State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
• Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

An 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.

Purchase College encourages the reporting of incidents of hazing and takes every such report seriously. It will investigate all reports diligently and thoroughly in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and/or other applicable policies and procedures. Individuals found responsible for committing, soliciting, encouraging, directing, aiding, or recklessly permitting hazing to occur will be subject to disciplinary sanction that could include suspension or expulsion.

Any person may report hazing in person, by telephone or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Office of Community Standards and/or University Police.

• To file a report with the Office of Community Standards, please call 914-251-6027 or email saf.conduct@purchase.edu. The Office of Community Standards oversees the Student Code of Conduct and the college’s administrative disciplinary process.
• To file a report with University Police, please call 914-251-6900 (non-emergency phone). If there is a crime in progress, please call 914-251-6911. University Police also provide other forms of reporting on their webpage, which include a Silent Witness report (anonymous reporting).

Purchase College will respect the privacy of reporters but cannot guarantee confidentiality for hazing reports. The information you provide to a non-confidential resource will be relayed only as necessary to investigate and/or seek a resolution and/or to comply with other appropriate Purchase College policies and procedures, and any federal, state and/or local laws, rules and regulations. Purchase College will limit the disclosure as much as possible, even if the institution determines that the request for confidentiality cannot be honored.

Offices and officials who are confidential resources will not report to law enforcement or university officials without a complainant/reporting party’s permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency. Purchase College offices that are considered confidential are as follows:

• Counseling and Behavioral Health Services
  • Phone: 914-251-6390
• Health Services
  • Phone: 914-251-6380
• To access after-hours support, please contact the office using the telephone number above and you will be transferred to the confidential nurse hotline.

Purchase College recognizes that students are sometimes reluctant to report hazing activity, due to a fear of potential consequences for their own conduct. For this reason, the College has adopted an amnesty policy which states that a student who acts in good faith to report activity that may fall within the definition of hazing and/or a victim who cooperates fully as a witness in the investigation and disciplinary process may not be subject to student conduct sanctions related to their own participation in hazing behavior and other behavior including related to alcohol and/or drug violations, as determined by the College in its sole discretion.

In the event amnesty is granted for self-reported behaviors, if evidence is presented that the student has continued to engage in hazing behaviors or has knowledge of hazing activity that was not reported, they may be held accountable for past behavior. Students who choose to report and request amnesty for their own conduct should know that amnesty does not apply to any criminal or civil action that may be taken by any law enforcement agencies, including University Police. 

Students who are granted amnesty may still receive outreach from Health Services or Counseling and Behavioral Health Services, the College’s confidential resources, to ensure proper support related to their overall health and well-being.

This policy is intended for use in isolated situations; therefore, it does not excuse or protect those who flagrantly or repeatedly violate University policy.

After a report is received, Purchase College will conduct a timely review of the submission and determine the next appropriate actions. If a report is criminal in nature, University Police and/or local law enforcement will be contacted. Purchase College will also conduct its own investigation to prevent a recurrence of the alleged hazing and to determine if there are potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct and/or any other applicable processes depending upon the nature of the complaint.

No person may intimidate, threaten, coerce or discriminate against any individual because the individual made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Hazing Policy and Procedure. Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and/or Human Resources. Any reports of retaliation involving an employee covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement will be addressed through the appropriate processes.

In an effort to educate our campus community, the College will utilize Vector Solutions to provide bystander intervention skills to aid in stopping hazing before it occurs. Additionally, in-person educational information and skill building will be supported through campus events such as Orientation, Phase II Orientation, campus safety days hosted by University Police, and programming sponsored by our Health Promotion Coordinator, Athletics, Student Affairs, and other campus partners.

Please reference Section C - Rights of the Individual to read the College’s Code of Conduct Charge and learn the range of sanctions associated with the charge.  The Office of Community Standards’ Glossary and Sanctions to learn more about each applicable sanction. 

Purchase College has no Student Code of Conduct violations related to hazing