Stop Campus Hazing Act

Cornell College is dedicated to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment. Hazing is strictly prohibited and inconsistent with the College’s values and mission. This page provides information and resources related to hazing in compliance with Federal and State laws, including the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Iowa Code 708.10. This policy applies to all Cornell College students, student organizations, employees, and affiliates.   

Cornell College student groups (e.g., student organizations, clubs, societies, associations, academic and honorary groups, varsity and junior varsity athletic teams, club sports teams, fraternities, sororities, social groups or student government), individual students, and those who supervise student group activities are prohibited from hazing. Hazing is prohibited in any form both on campus and off campus. 

Resources

• Cornell College Hazing Policy
• Cornell College Hazing Transparency Report

Hazing Policy

Statement of Policy

Cornell College is dedicated to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment.  Hazing is strictly prohibited and inconsistent with the College’s values and mission. This policy complies with Federal and State laws, including the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Iowa Code 708.10. This policy applies to all Cornell College students, student organizations, employees, and affiliates.   

Cornell College student groups (e.g., student organizations, clubs, societies, associations, academic and honorary groups, varsity and junior varsity athletic teams, club sports teams, fraternities, sororities, social groups or student government), individual students, and those who supervise student group activities are prohibited from hazing. Hazing is prohibited in any form both on campus and off campus. 

Hazing Definition

Hazing is a criminal misdemeanor offense under Iowa law 708.10, when a person intentionally or recklessly engages in any act or acts involving forced activity which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university. Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, forced confinement, or any other “forced activity” which endangers the physical health or safety of a student.

“Forced Activity” means any activity which is a condition of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, an organization, regardless of a student’s willingness to participate in the activity. 

The Stop Campus Hazing Act defines Hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless action, request, or creation of circumstances committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other people) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• 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 college or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:
  • Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of 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 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 fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, 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, Federal, or Tribal law. 

Cornell College further defines hazing as any action taken or situation created to produce excessive mental or physical discomfort, fatigue, or harassment; any morally degrading activity; and/or any activity which encourages the violation of civil, state, or federal law, College regulations, or the rights and privileges of others as part of joining, being initiated into or affiliating with a group or organization.

Definition of Student Organization

For purposes of this policy, Student Organization means an organization at Cornell College, including recognized student organizations, clubs, societies, associations, academic and honorary groups, varsity and junior varsity athletic teams, club sports teams, fraternities, sororities, social groups or student government, in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at Cornell College, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the college.

Prohibited Behavior 

Hazing is prohibited for all individuals and groups at Cornell College, including but not limited to student organizations, academic groups, and athletic teams. Failing to intervene or report known hazing activities is also a violation of this policy.

Reporting Procedures

Hazing can be reported through multiple channels, including both to Cornell College and to external authorities.

Any individual who believes they have been the victim of hazing, or anyone who has knowledge or observes conduct that may constitute hazing, are strongly encouraged to report. All Campus Security Authorities are required to report hazing immediately. Hazing can be reported via the Cornell College Reporting Form or by contacting Campus Safety at 319-895-4299.  

Campus Security Authorities

“Campus Security Authority” (CSA) is a Clery Act-specific term that encompasses four groups of individuals and organizations associated with an institution.

• A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution.
• Any individual or individuals who have responsibility for campus security but who do not constitute a campus police department or a campus security department (e.g., an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance into institutional property).
• Any individual or organization specified in an institution’s statement of campus security policy as an individual or organization to which students and employees should report criminal offenses.
• An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings. An official is defined as any person who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond.

At Cornell College the following roles are identified as CSAs:

• Members of the Campus Safety staff
• Members of the Dean of Students, Residence Life, and Student Life staff (including Resident Assistants and Peer Advocates)
• Assistant Director of Athletics for Sport Performance and Wellness Center Coordinator
• Student organization advisors

Professional counselors at Cornell’s Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center and the College’s Chaplain, when acting in the capacity of those jobs, are not CSAs and are not required to report crimes disclosed to them. They are encouraged, when they deem it appropriate, to inform persons being counseled of the procedures to report crimes on a voluntary basis for inclusion in the college’s annual report of crime statistics.

At Cornell College any incident can be reported to the Campus Safety Office, the Dean of Students or through the public incident reporting system.

Reporting to Law Enforcement 

Individuals who believe they have been subjected to hazing are strongly encouraged to notify local law enforcement. To report hazing to local law enforcement, contact: 

• Emergency: Dial 911
• Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department: 319.895.6141, 380 Old Lincoln Hwy, Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314
• Linn County Sheriff’s Office: 319.892.6100, 310 2nd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Reporting to law enforcement is not required for the College to initiate its own investigation or resolution process.

Support for Victims 

The college provides resources, including counseling and reasonable supportive measures, according to the nature and seriousness of the incident. 

For confidential support, contact Ebersole Heath and Wellbeing Center at 319-895-4292.

Retaliation 

Cornell College strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who makes a good faith report of hazing or participates in an investigation, hearing, or court proceeding related to suspected misconduct. Retaliatory acts will be subject to the student conduct or employee accountability process.

Investigation of Hazing Reports

Cornell College is expected to handle hazing incidents swiftly and fairly while ensuring that all individuals’ rights are protected throughout the process. This process is crucial to balance transparency, due process, and the wellbeing of all involved students, faculty, and staff.

1. Initial Assessment and Safety/Risk Analysis
   1. Assessment of Incident: Upon receiving a report, college officials (e.g., Dean of Students or Human Resources) assess whether the alleged behavior constitutes hazing under college policy. 
   2. Safety/Risk Analysis: If necessary, the college may take immediate steps to ensure the safety of individuals, including interim accountability measures or immediate removal of individuals or organizations under investigation. 
2. Cases involving Faculty or Staff
   1. If reports of potential hazing involve faculty or staff members, the report and investigation would be routed to the appropriate office responsible for those personnel. Faculty conduct allegations are managed by the Office of the Provost. Staff conduct allegations are managed by Human Resources.  
3. Students and Student Organizations
   1. Upon receiving reports of potential hazing incidents, the Dean of Students, or their designee, has the responsibility for administration of the investigation and conduct process. The Dean, or their designee, will investigate and manage the conduct process in such a way as to resolve the cases in an as expeditious a manner as possible. More information on the conduct process is defined in the Compass Student Handbook.

Disciplinary Sanctions

Students and/or organizations found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary actions and sanctions.  Sanction examples are outlined in the Compass Student Handbook. 

Prevention & Awareness Programs 

Cornell College is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students, staff, and faculty, free from hazing. This policy is designed to promote awareness, prevent hazing behaviors, and ensure that all students, staff, faculty, and campus organizations adhere to the college’s expectations.  

1. Educational Programming: These strategies aim to address the cultural and environmental conditions that enable hazing. 
   1. Online Safety Training: Annually, all students and Campus Security Authorities will be required to complete an online training course outlining safety on campus, specifically targeting hazing concerns as outlined in this policy.
   2. Bystander Intervention Training: Student leaders will be trained to recognize, intervene, and report hazing behaviors.
   3. Advisor Training: Annual training will be conducted with Student Organization Advisors, specifically focusing on identifying, reporting, and stopping any potential hazing behaviors. The Dean of Students office, in conjunction with Advisors, will coordinate programming surrounding hazing awareness and prevention through events, social media, club/organization involvement.
   4. Resources and Policies: Anti-Hazing policy and agreement is outlined in resources given to Student Organizations and their Advisors in handbooks. Additionally, organizations annually commit to stop hazing by signing the Clubs & Organizations Anti-Hazing Agreement. This agreement pledges that individual Clubs & Organizations will not create or support an environment of hazing.
2. Awareness: social media and poster campaigns designed to launch within the first 5 weeks of classes about hazing awareness, prevention, and reporting.
3. Ongoing Assessment and Improvement 
   1. Program Evaluation: Hazing prevention programs will be reviewed annually, and improvements will be made based on feedback and data. 

Public Communication and Transparency 

• If the hazing incident involves criminal behavior (e.g., physical assault, abuse, or illegal substances), the College may also report the incident to local law enforcement, who may conduct a parallel investigation. 
• Hazing incidents will be included in the Annual Security Report and Daily Crime Log (available through the Director of Campus Safety office), as required by the Clery Act. This law requires colleges to disclose certain campus safety information, including hazing and sexual assaults. 
  • The incident must be reported by a campus security authority or local police. 
  • It must occur within the Clery Act’s defined geography. 
  • The incident must meet the Clery Act's definition of hazing. 
• Depending on the severity of the incident, the college may disclose the outcome to the broader community, especially if public safety is at risk, through Ram Safety Alerts and/or other methods as appropriate. 

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

In accordance with college’s policy, a Campus Hazing Transparency Report is compiled and published on the College's website to provide transparency regarding any established or recognized student organizations found in violation of the college's hazing policy. The report will not include any personally identifiable information about individual students. This report includes the following information for each organization involved: 

• Name of the Student Organization 
• General Description of the Violation (*Must include whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs, the findings of the college, and any sanctions placed on the student organization) 
• Relevant Dates 
  • Date the incident was alleged to have occurred 
  • Date investigation was initiated 
  • Date investigation ended with findings of hazing violation 
  • Date the college provided notice to organization of outcome 
• Findings for Determination of Responsibility 
• Sanctions Imposed

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report is publicly available on the Cornell College Website. This report will be updated at least two times per year and will summarize all findings related to student organizations that have violated hazing policies. 

Policy Last Updated: Dec. 15, 2025