Federal Definition:

The act defines the term hazing to mean 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 (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE(institution of higher education) or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.

Kettering Definition, Examples and Statement of Policy:

Hazing is illegal in Michigan under the law commonly known as "Garret's Law," which is codified under M.C.L.A. 750.411 (t) and HR 5646 “Stop Campus Hazing Act”.

Hazing refers to any action taken or situation created, intentionally or unintentionally, whether on or off campus, and with or without consent of the persons subject to the action which produces mental, emotional, or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, etc.

Kettering University prohibits hazing in any form. No student or student organization, including but not limited to sororities and fraternities, clubs and organizations, student or alumnus, shall employ a program of student initiation/member education that includes any hazing activities. Hazing applies to all members of an organization, regardless of length of time in the organization. A student organization is defined as 2+ enrolled students and may or may not be officially recognized by Kettering.

This includes, but is not limited to any situation which:

• Creates a risk of injury to any individual or group
• Produces mental or physical discomfort to any individual or group
• Causes embarrassment to any individual or group
• Involves harassment of any individual or group
• Involves degradation of any individual or group
• Involves humiliation of any individual or group
• Involves ridicule of any individual or group
• Involves or includes the willful destruction or removal of public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition or continued membership in an organization
• Includes physical injury, assault or battery, kidnapping or imprisonment, intentionally placing at risk of mental or emotional harm (putting "over the edge"), degradation, humiliation, the compromising of moral or religious values, forced consumption of any liquid or solid, placing an individual in physical danger (at risk) which includes abandonment, and impairment of physical liberties which include curfews or other interference with academic endeavors
• Any act that violates an organization’s hazing policies
• Any act that violates federal, state and or local laws and ordinances

The following are some examples of hazing activities:

• Having line-ups, games, or activities that are designed to humiliate or degrade.
• Having associates/pledges do calisthenics, march/runs, kidnapping, or scavenger hunts.
• Depriving associates/pledges of food or sleep, or placing them in any danger by threatening their health and well-being.
• Causing physical discomfort including paddling, branding, tattooing, etc.
• Forcing or encouraging the consumption of alcohol or other substances.
• Forcing or encouraging the wearing of ridiculous or distasteful clothing or other items not deemed appropriate in public.
• Participation in “Hell Week,” Initiation night or week, or partaking in pranks.
• Using associate members/new members as forced labor or indentured servants, for personal benefit.
• Birthday or Engagement activities that humiliate or cause physical discomfort.

Process for reporting

Any person with knowledge of hazing should report it immediately to one or more of the following Campus Security Authorities (CSA) for Hazing:

Mike Schaal, Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Success

mschaal@kettering.edu, (810)762-9733

Myra Lumpkin, Director of Student Life

mlumpkin@kettering.edu, (810)762-9743

Jennifer Abbott, Sr. Associate Director of Student Residential Life

jabbott@kettering.edu, (810)762-9537

Shari Luck, Coordinator of Academic Orientation & Retention

sluck@kettering.edu, (810)762-9783

Paul Crane, Director of Campus Safety

pcrane@kettering.edu, (810) 762-9887

Process for Investigation

Online form (may be anonymous), email, phone or in person reports can be made to a CSA. Students with knowledge of hazing incidents, who fail to report them, may be subject to disciplinary action.  Once a report is made it will be forwarded to Student Engagement and Success office to investigate. This investigation will include contacting all involved parties and determining what violations, if any, likely occurred. The investigation will be conducted by members of the Kettering community who have no conflict of interest or bias for or against the accuser or accused. The investigation will be prompt, fair and impartial from the initial investigation until the final result. When applicable, local law enforcement may be involved.  Student code of conduct violations may also be adjudicated simultaneously with hazing violations. The judicial process is outlined in the Kettering Student Handbook. At the conclusion of the investigation, the findings will be documented on a Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR) and made available on the public hazing website.

Preventative Programs Policy

The Kettering University policy to prevent campus hazing will include the following elements:

• Include all faculty, staff and students
• CSA’s will receive additional trainings
• Include definition
• Include how to report and overview of the investigation process
• Suggestions for building group cohesion
• Prevention strategies will be a combination of virtual modules, printed material and face/face instruction

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

The CHTR will include the organization, description, involvement of drugs or alcohol, dates of occurrence/investigation/findings, date organization was notified of the finding, the findings and the sanctions. These will be included on the website and documented in the Annual Safety Report (ASR) as needed for Clery compliance.