Campus Hazing Act

Hazing Prevention and Response Policy

Institution Name: SUNY Orange
Effective Date: June 20, 2025
Responsible Office: Student Services / Safety and Security / Title IX

1. Purpose

SUNY Orange is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment. This policy outlines the College’s approach to reporting, investigating, adjudicating, and preventing hazing, in compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (Public Law 118-173) and New York Penal Law §§ 120.16 and 120.17.

1. Scope

This policy applies to all SUNY Orange students, student organizations, student groups, athletic teams, and other affiliated groups or individuals—regardless of whether the group is officially recognized—when conduct occurs on or off campus.

III. Definition of Hazing

For the purposes of this policy, hazing is defined in accordance with Public Law 118-173 as:

Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by one student (or more than one student) against another student, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate, and that—

• in connection with an initiation into, affiliation with, admission to, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the organization, of physical or psychological injury including-
• 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 local, State, Tribal, or Federal law;
• 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; and
• any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that violates the SUNY Orange Student Code of Conduct or College policy.

Note: Consent is not a defense to hazing. This definition is also consistent with NY Penal Law §120.16 (Hazing in the Second Degree) and §120.17 (Hazing in the First Degree).

1. Reporting Hazing

Anyone—students, staff, faculty, or community members—may report hazing. Reports may be made anonymously.

Reports can be submitted to:

• Safety and Security: Middletown (845) 341-4710) / Newburgh (845) 341-9533
• Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Completion/Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Madeline Torres-Diaz, madeline.torresdiaz@sunyorange.edu, (845) 341-4407

All reports are taken seriously. Retaliation against individuals who report hazing is strictly prohibited. The College expects all reports will be made in good faith.

1. Investigation Procedures

Upon receipt of a hazing complaint, the College will:

• Conduct a prompt and thorough investigation
• Interview the Complainant, Respondent, and any witnesses
• Review relevant documentation or media
• Coordinate with law enforcement, if necessary

Findings from the investigation will be forwarded to the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Completion/Deputy Title IX Coordinator to determine whether the matter proceeds through formal adjudication.

1. Adjudication and Hearing Procedures

Complaints involving hazing shall proceed under formal adjudication only. Informal resolution options (such as mediation or administrative resolution) are not permitted.

1. Filing a Complaint

Any College community member may file a complaint with the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Completion/Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Complaints must include:

• Names of the Complainant and Respondent
• Specific provision(s) of the Code of Conduct and/or this policy allegedly violated
• Date, time, and location of the incident(s)
• Names of witnesses, if any

Complaints should be filed within 30 calendar days, unless the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Completion/Deputy Title IX Coordinator determines that special circumstances justify a late submission.

2. Review and Referral

If the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Completion/Deputy Title IX Coordinator determines that the complaint alleges a potential violation, the matter shall be referred to formal adjudication before the Board of Inquiry.

3. Formal Hearing

• The Respondent will receive written notice of the complaint and hearing details.
• The hearing will proceed even if the Respondent fails to appear.
• A trained Board of Inquiry—composed of faculty, staff, and students—will review the evidence.
• The preponderance of the evidence standard will apply.
• Both the Complainant and Respondent may present evidence and witnesses.

4. Victim Rights

In hazing cases involving harm, the victim has the right to:

• Be accompanied by a support person
• Remain present during the hearing
• Make a victim impact statement
• Be informed of the outcome

5. Summer Complaints

In deviation from standard procedures, hazing cases that arise during the summer will not be resolved administratively. The College will convene an alternate Board of Inquiry to conduct a formal hearing.

VII. Hazing Prevention and Awareness

SUNY Orange implements annual, campus-wide hazing prevention initiatives that are research-informed and designed to educate and build healthy communities. Programs include:

• Bystander intervention training
• Ethical leadership and values-based membership education
• Workshops on recognizing and preventing hazing
• Team-building and inclusion-focused alternatives to hazing

These programs are delivered during:

• New student orientation
• Student-athlete onboarding
• Student organization and leadership training

All prevention programs are reviewed annually for effectiveness and compliance.

VIII. College Hazing Transparency Report

SUNY Orange will publish a biannual Campus Hazing Transparency Report on its website. The report will include:

• The name of each student organization found responsible for hazing
• A general description of the conduct
• Sanctions imposed
• Whether alcohol or drugs were involved
• The dates of the report, incident, and resolution

Reports will not include personally identifiable student information, consistent with FERPA.

1. Training and Accountability

SUNY Orange provides annual training to:

• Student leaders and organization officers
• Coaches and team advisors
• Faculty and professional staff involved in student life or discipline

Training topics include:

• Hazing prevention and recognition
• Reporting procedures
• Supporting affected students
• Upholding institutional and legal responsibilities

The Office of Student Services is responsible for policy oversight, training coordination, and compliance monitoring.

1. Related Policies and Laws

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (Public Law 118-173)
• Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act
• New York Penal Law §120.16 – Hazing in the Second Degree
• New York Penal Law §120.17 – Hazing in the First Degree
• SUNY Orange Code of Conduct – Article IV (Student Conduct Process)
• Title IX & Student Disciplinary Procedures

1. Contact

• Office of Student Services
  Shepard Student Center
  115 South Street
  Middletown, NY 10940
  (845) 341-4000
  madeline.torresdiaz@sunyorange.edu
  https://sunyorange.edu/studentservices/