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Table of Contents:

• STATEMENT OF POLICY AND PREVENTION PROGRAM ON HAZING
  • College Policy Related to Hazing
  • How to Report Hazing
  • How Hazing Will be Investigated
  • Information about Applicable State Law
• STATEMENT REGARDING PREVENTION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS RELATED TO HAZING
  • Campus-wide Prevention Programs
  • Clery Act Training Integration
  • How to Report Hazing
  • How Hazing Will be Investigated
  • Your Role in Prevention
  • Primary Prevention Strategies
  • Contact, Support, and Resources

 

STATEMENT OF POLICY AND PREVENTION PROGRAM ON HAZING

��ɫ��Ƶ (“College”) is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus environment. In compliance with the , the , and , the College prohibits all forms of hazing, regardless of intent or consent.

College Policy Related to Hazing

The College’s policy prohibiting hazing, including the College’s definition of hazing can be found here. The College’s policy applies to students, employees, student organizations (both recognized and unrecognized), and activities both on and off campus.

How to Report Hazing

Anyone can report hazing. All concerns are taken seriously and handled with discretion. To the greatest extent possible, the identities of reporters will be kept confidential. However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. 

Reporting options include:

• Office of Student Conduct: conduct@oxy.edu | (323) 341-4063
• Human Resources (employee-related): hr@oxy.edu | (323) 259-2613
• Campus Safety (immediate concerns): (323) 259-2599 | In emergencies: 911 (9-911 from campus phones)

How Hazing Will be Investigated

Students and Student Organizations

Reports involving hazing by students /student organizations are addressed through the procedures established in the Code of Student Conduct (section G). Generally, the investigation of a report will proceed as follows: 

1. The report will be reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct;
2. A Conduct Officer will investigate and gather relevant information, documents, and interview involved parties (including witnesses);  
3. The Respondent will receive notice of the allegations;
4. The Respondent will have a right to review the case file and respond to the allegations;
5. A determination of responsibility, based on a preponderance of the evidence standard, will be made and sanctions will be recommended:
   1. Where the allegation(s), if substantiated, do not merit suspension or expulsion, a Conduct Officer will make the determination and recommend sanctions;
   2. Where the allegation(s), if substantiated, merit suspension or expulsion, a hearing panel will make the determination and recommend sanctions to the Conduct Officer after a hearing conducted in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct Section G; and
6. The Respondent will have an opportunity to appeal the determination.

Student organizations may be subject to sanctions where (1) one or more Respondent(s) who are a member of the student organization are found to have violated the Hazing Policy and (2) the violation (list is not comprehensive):

• appears to have received the consent or encouragement of the organization or of the organization's leaders or officers; or 
• occurred at an activity sponsored by the organization or on property utilized by the organization; and/or
• a reasonable person would understand the violation by one or more members to fall within the scope of the organization's usual and customary activities. 

Sanctions for student organizations will be determined by SLICE in consultation with the Office of Student Conduct. 

Employees

Reports involving hazing by employees will be addressed by Human Resources. Generally, the investigation of a report will proceed as follows:

1. The report will be reviewed by Human Resources;
2. Human Resources will investigate and gather relevant information, documents, and interview involved parties (including witnesses);  
3. The respondent will receive notice of the allegations;
4. The respondent will have a right to respond to the allegations;
5. Human Resources will determine if misconduct occurred, using a preponderance of the evidence standard, and sanctions will be recommended; and
6. The respondent will have an opportunity to appeal the determination.

Reports that Involve Sexual Misconduct or Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

Reports that involve potential violations of the Sexual Interpersonal Misconduct Policy (“SIM Policy”) or Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy (“DHR Policy”) and potential violations of another policy - whether Student Code of Conduct, Faculty Handbook, or Staff Handbook - will be referred to the Civil Rights & Title IX Office. The College may, its sole discretion, assign the investigation of all alleged policy violations to the Civil Rights & Title IX Office.

Generally, the investigation of a report of a violation of the SIM Policy will proceed as follows:

• The report will be reviewed by the Civil Rights & Title IX Office;
• If an investigation is opened, the Civil Rights & Title IX Office will provide written notice to all parties of the allegations, their rights, the identity of the parties, supportive measures, and any other relevant information;
• An investigator will investigate and gather relevant information, documents, and interview involved parties (including witnesses);  
• The parties and witnesses will have a right to review a transcript of their interview; 
• The parties have an opportunity to review the gathered statements and evidence and provide a written response or request additional fact-gathering;
• For cases involving Title IX misconduct, a hearing will be held and a hearing officer will serve as the decision-maker;
• For cases involving non-Title IX misconduct, the investigator will serve as the decision-maker;
• The decision-maker will prepare a written determination, including findings of fact, a determination as to whether the SIM Policy (and any other policy) was violated, and a rationale for those determinations;
• Those found responsible for policy violations will receive a sanction; and
• The parties will have an opportunity to appeal the determination on limited grounds.

Generally, the investigation of a report of a violation of the DHR Policy will proceed as follows:

• The report will be reviewed by the Civil Rights & Title IX Office;
• If an investigation is opened, the Civil Rights & Title IX Office will provide written notice to all parties of the allegations, their rights, the identify of the parties, supportive measures and any other relevant information;
• An investigator will investigate and gather relevant information, documents, and interview involved parties (including witnesses);  
• The parties and witnesses will have a right to review a transcript of their interview; 
• The parties have an opportunity to review the gathered statements and evidence and provide a written response or request additional fact-gathering;
• The investigator will prepare a written determination, including findings of fact, a determination as to whether the DHR Policy (and any other policy) was violated, and a rationale for those determinations;
• Those found responsible for policy violations will receive a sanction; and
• The parties will have an opportunity to appeal the determination on limited grounds.

Information about Applicable State Law

The College’s Hazing Policy and Prevention Program reflects the following applicable laws.

– The California Stop Campus Hazing Act (“Cal-SCHA”) defines "Hazing" as any method of initiation or pre-initiation into an affiliated student organization or student body, which the initiator knows or should have known is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university, or other educational institution in the State of California. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or school-sanctioned events. 

The Cal-SCHA is a state law that aims to prevent hazing on college campuses by prohibiting hazing and requiring institutions to report hazing incidents annually to the legislature, implement hazing prevention programs, and potentially face civil liability if they don't take reasonable steps to prevent hazing. The law creates a rebuttable presumption that an institution took reasonable steps to prevent hazing if it has (1) rules and regulations governing student and employee behavior that include (a) a prohibition on hazing, (b) anonymous reporting of hazing incidents, and (c) disciplinary actions for the violation of the hazing prohibition; (2) procedures by which all students and employees are informed of the rules and regulations, with applicable penalties, and any revisions to the rules and regulations; and (3) a comprehensive prevention and outreach program addressing hazing. 

– Matt’s Law defines “Hazing” as “any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university, or other educational institution in this state.” “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or school-sanctioned events.

Matt’s law criminalizes hazing and permits misdemeanor or felony prosecution and civil liability. Matt’s Law is described in greater detail in the Hazing Policy. 

Read the full Hazing Policy.

Read the College’s Statement Regarding Prevention and Awareness Programs Related to Hazing below. 

STATEMENT REGARDING PREVENTION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS RELATED TO HAZING

��ɫ��Ƶ (“College”) has implemented a comprehensive, research-informed prevention and awareness program designed to identify and prevent hazing. These initiatives are guided by best practices in higher education and informed by federal and state legislation, including the and the . 

Campus-wide Prevention Programs

The College offers institution-wide prevention programs designed to reach all students, faculty, and staff. The College’s prevention programs are research- and trauma-informed, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate. These programs include:

• New Student Orientation Training Module: All incoming students complete mandatory online education addressing hazing, consent, bystander intervention, and community standards. Students are informed about the College’s policy and prohibition on hazing, as well as penalties for violating the policy in the Hazing Policy and as part of required training. Changes to the College’s policy are announced by email.
• Student Leadership Training and Athletics Compliance Day: Student leaders, organization officers, and athletic teams participate in mandatory trainings that center ethical leadership, healthy group dynamics, and risk prevention.
• Employee Training: All new employees complete mandatory online training on identifying, preventing, and reporting hazing behaviors. Employees are informed about the College’s policy and prohibition on hazing, as well as penalties for violating the policy in the Hazing Policy, as part of required training, and in the Employee Handbook. Changes to the College’s policy are announced by email.  

Clery Act Training Integration

Hazing prevention is also incorporated into Occidental’s Clery Act compliance training. Campus Security Authorities (CSAs), including staff and faculty with significant student interaction, are trained to identify and report hazing in accordance with and guidelines. Training materials are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect legal requirements and institutional procedures.

How to Report Hazing

You can read more about how to report hazing in the College’s Statement of Policy and Prevention Program On Hazing. 

How Hazing Will be Investigated

You can read more about how hazing will be investigated in the College’s Statement of Policy and Prevention Program On Hazing. 

Your Role in Prevention

Creating a culture of safety and accountability is a shared responsibility. All members of the ��ɫ��Ƶ community are expected to:

• Promote respectful and inclusive team-building;
• Question harmful traditions or initiation rituals;
• Speak up when they witness concerning behavior; and
• Support individuals impacted by hazing. 

Primary Prevention Strategies

The College primarily prioritizes prevention strategies to reduce hazing before it occurs. These strategies emphasize positive culture-building and the development of individual and group competencies. Initiatives include:

• Ethical Leadership Education: Sessions offered through the College’s required Student Leadership Training help student leaders explore decision-making frameworks, inclusive practices, and accountability norms.
• Hazing-Free Team-Building: The Student Leadership Training also includes strategies for building group cohesion without hazing, such as values-driven retreats, service projects, and skill-based collaborative activities.
• Values-Based Recruitment: Students participating in the Student Leadership Training learn to implement recruitment practices that center respect, belonging, and informed consent.

Contact, Support, and Resources

��ɫ��Ƶ offers prevention training, education, and support for individuals and organizations seeking to build positive, inclusive communities. For more information about hazing prevention programs, guidance, programming support or to request a training session, please contact:

• Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement Office – slice@oxy.edu
• Office of Student Conduct – conduct@oxy.edu
• Civil Rights & Title IX Office – titleixcoordinator@oxy.edu

Read the full Hazing Policy.

Read the College’s Statement of Policy and Prevention Program On Hazing above.

This page was last revised June 20, 2025.