Hazing is a violation of Maine Community College System policy, federal, and state law.
The Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act addresses reports of hazing by a student organization.
The Act defines hazing as:
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 Act defines a student organization as:
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.
Maine Community College System Prohibition of Injurious Hazing
Under Maine State Law Title 20-A M.R.S.A. §10004(2)(B), it is a violation of MCCS policy to engage in the injurious hazing of any student, employee, group, or entity affiliated with a college or the MCCS.
“Injurious hazing” means any action or situation on or off MCCS property that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any such student, employee, group, or entity affiliated with a college or the MCCS.
A. Penalties
Pursuant to Maine State Law Title 20-A M.R.S.A. §10004(3), penalties for violating this policy include, but are not limited to, the following:
In the case of a person not associated with the institution, the removal of the violator from MCCS property;
In the case of a student or employee, suspension, expulsion, and/or other appropriate disciplinary action; and
In the case of an organization affiliated with a college or the MCCS, which authorizes hazing, rescission of permission for that organization to operate on MCCS property or receive any other benefit of affiliation with the MCCS or a college.
These penalties shall be in addition to any other MCCS or college rule of conduct, and to any civil or criminal penalty to which the violator(s) may be subject.
Reporting Incidents of Hazing
Hazing incidents can be reported to the following:
Share a Concern with CARE Team
Campus Safety – (207) 741-5553
Associate Dean of Students – (207) 741-5944 – dstoves@mainecc.edu
Investigating Incidents of Hazing
In compliance with the Federal Campus Hazing Act and Maine State Law, reports of hazing will be investigated by representatives from the Department of Student Life. Southern Maine Community College will publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report documenting occurrences and will be updated every six months for the campus community.
Prevention & Bystander Intervention Strategies
Southern Maine Community College is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students, faculty, staff, and guests of the College.
The following are some tools and strategies for hazing prevention: