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SUNY ESF
Hazing Policy

Hazing is abusive, degrading, psychologically damaging, and may be life-threatening. It is unacceptable in all forms and has no place in the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) community. Student groups, organizations, and athletic teams are important contributors to a vibrant and positive campus life and are expected to act in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and to treat others with respect.

Reason for Policy

ESF aims to foster a vibrant campus community where students can participate in campus life activities, free from hazing. This policy also meets the requirements of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Public Law 118-173 (2024).

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to:

  • President
  • Vice Presidents/Executive Officers
  • Deans, Directors & Department Heads
  • Area Managers & Supervisors
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Others      

Website References

This policy: Hazing Policy | Community Standards 

Policy Office: Executive Director for Administration

Contact: policies@esf.edu  

Related Information

Contacts

Specific questions should be directed to the following:

Subject Contact Telephone Office or Department E-Mail / 
Web Address
Policy Clarification and General Information Policy Development  Dean of Students (315) 470-6660 students@esf.edu 

 

Definitions

Hazing 

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 SUNY ESF or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury. 

Under New York State Penal Law, a person may be charged with hazing if, during another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, they intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct that creates a substantial risk of and/or causes physical injury to another person. A criminal charge of hazing may result in a violation or misdemeanor.

Student Organization 

An organization (such as 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 SUNY ESF, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by SUNY ESF. This includes organizations and activities at Syracuse University in which SUNY ESF students are participating.

Policy Details

Hazing by individuals and student organizations, as defined in this policy, is prohibited in any form both on campus and off campus.

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.

Procedure

Reporting Incidents of Hazing

SUNY ESF 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 ESF Code of Student Conduct. 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 mail, by telephone or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Office of the Dean of Students or by utilizing the online reporting forms: 

 

Office of the Dean of Students
110 Bray Hall
 students@esf.edu
 315-470-6660

Report Hazing/Organizational Misconduct

  1. Private and Confidential Reporting  

SUNY ESF 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 SUNY ESF policies and procedures, and any federal, state and/or local laws, rules and regulations. SUNY ESF 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 college officials without a complainant/reporting party's permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency. SUNY ESF offices that are considered confidential are as follows: 

 

ESF Counseling Center
110 A Bray Hall
 315-470-4716

2. Amnesty Related to Hazing Reports

SUNY ESF 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.

3. Retaliation

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 the Dean of Students and/or Human Resources. Any reports of retaliation involving an employee covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement will be addressed through the appropriate processes.

Investigation Process

After a report is received, SUNY ESF will quickly review 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. SUNY ESF 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.

Forms

Hazing Reporting Form

Responsible Executive

Executive Officer for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

Responsible Office

Division of Student Affairs

History | Procedure Revision Record

Date Origination Date
6/23/2025 - Procedure Implementation  
MM/DD/YYYY  

 

History | Policy Revision Record

Date Action
06/23/2025 - Policy Implementation Signed by President
MM/DD/YYYY - Revision