Hazing is any action taken or any situation created intentionally that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule and risks emotional and/or physical harm to members of a group or team, whether new or not, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. (Source: https://stophazing.org/issue/)
Hazing happens in many different places and settings both on and off campus. Hazing occurs in many types of clubs, organizations and teams.
Examples of Hazing
Actions and activities which may constitute hazing include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Behavior that is emotionally or psychologically abusive, humiliating or demeaning.
- Physical abuse, e.g., whipping, paddling, beating, tattooing, branding and exposure to the elements or the threat of such behaviors.
- Ingestion of alcohol, food, drugs or any undesirable substance.
- Participation in sexual rituals or assaults.
- Kidnappings, road trips, etc., which are conducted in a manner that endangers the health or safety of an individual.
- Sleep deprivation, acts of servitude, isolation and expecting certain items to always be in one's possession.
Why not haze?
- Individual Harm — simply put, hazing victimizes people. In whatever form it's encountered—from obviously degrading to seemingly benign—hazing is abusive, potentially life-threatening and has long-term consequences. Like other forms of abuse, hazing fosters hurt and feelings of betrayal, NOT the sense of unity, camaraderie or tradition that groups who engage in hazing often use to justify the exercise of power and control over others.
- Group Harm — groups that add new members normally do so to strengthen the group, grow membership and improve the overall experience of group members. Hazing may increase the perceived value of membership because of the “cost” of joining, but it negatively affects new members' ability to contribute positively and undermines overall group cohesion.
Penalties
Hazing is against campus policy and California state law, and a range of penalties may be applied to organizations and individuals found to have engaged in hazing. Penalties may include loss of registration as a student organization and other disciplinary measures in accordance with 4CD Policy and state law.
Campus Policy and State Law
It is against the law (Education Code Section 32051 and 4CD District Policy S3027) for student organizations to conduct any activities that involve hazing.
Violations may result in loss of registration as a student organization, action by the Office of the Dean of Students or referral to local law enforcement agencies.
California State Law on Hazing
Criminal Penalties for Hazing (Section 245.6(c-e))
"A violation of this section that does not result in serious bodily injury is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.
Any person who personally engages in hazing that results in death or serious bodily injury as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (f) of Section 243 of the Penal Code is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
The person against whom the hazing is directed may commence a civil action for injury or damages. The action may be brought against any participants in the hazing, or any organization to which the student is seeking membership whose agents, directors, trustees, managers, or officers authorized, requested, commanded, participated in, or ratified the hazing."
Reporting
What to Know About Campus Hazing
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ECC Student Organizations
An organization in the District in which two or more members are students enrolled in the District, regardless of whether the organization is established or recognized by the District. A student organization may include a student club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government.
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Prohibited Conduct
The District prohibits students, student organizations, and employees from engaging in, encouraging, or facilitating hazing. The District strictly prohibits retaliation against individuals who report hazing.
Reporting Hazing
Individuals may report hazing using the following methods:
- Immediate Danger: Call 911 or Campus Police at 925-969-3000.
- Reporting: Individuals may report hazing via the Incident Report Form
The District will investigate hazing reports promptly and maintain confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
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Any student, employee or third party who knows of hazing activities or feels they have been a victim of hazing, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or menacing violates this policy and should immediately report their concerns to the Vice President of Equity and Student Services and/or submit an incident report. Upon receipt of any report of hazing by a student club/organization or student, the following procedures will be enacted.
Step 1
Identify the hazing, harassment, intimidation, or bullying act; include the day, time, location, and names of individuals and/or organizations involved. Provide all information in writing, and keep all witness information strictly confidential.
Step 2
Upon receiving the information, the Vice President of Equity and Student Services will promptly initiate an investigation. All individuals involved in the investigation will be informed about retaliation and confidentiality. The club/organization Advisor and/or Dean will also be notified of the allegations.
Step 3
Conduct interviews with the victims as well as the students accused of involvement in the hazing incidents. Address the entire club or organization in question. Provide members the opportunity to respond in writing. Ensure that students are informed of the potential for disciplinary action. Consult with former members to determine how long these activities lasted.
- What type of activities have you participated in for initiation or pledge activities?
- Have you ever been hazed?
- Have you ever been involved in hazing others? If you have, what part did you play?
- Broaden the investigation to other clubs and organizations.
Step 4
After completing all investigations, a report detailing the incident and the allegations against the student or organization will be shared with all parties involved. Appropriate sanctions, if applicable, shall be imposed upon either the student or the club/organization. Should the investigation determine that a student has committed an act of hazing or violated this policy in any manner, the student will be subject to disciplinary actions, which may include, but are not limited to, suspension or expulsion from El Camino College and/or participation in co-curricular or extra-curricular activities. Disciplinary action may also include referral for criminal prosecution.
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The District shall collect and report statistics on hazing incidents in its Annual Security Reports. Hazing statistics will be available annually starting October 1, 2026.
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The District shall publish an annual Campus Hazing Transparency Report on its website. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will summarize hazing incidents and identify the student organization found responsible for hazing. The District will update this report at least twice a year and maintain it for five years.
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The District will provide a comprehensive prevention and outreach program to address hazing among students, employees, and the college police department. The comprehensive prevention program shall include components on identifying hazing, hazing prevention, and bystander intervention strategies. The District’s outreach program shall inform students of the District’s policy prohibiting hazing and include a process for contacting and informing the student body, athletic programs, and affiliated student organizations about the District’s prohibition on hazing.
The District requires all students involved in student organizations, clubs, or athletic teams to complete annual hazing prevention training. Additionally, all employees who advise or oversee student groups must also complete hazing prevention training.
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Criminal Penalties for Hazing (Section 245.6(c-e))
A violation of Section 245.6(c-e) that does not result in serious bodily injury is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.
Any person who personally engages in hazing that results in death or serious bodily injury as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (f) of Section 243 of the Penal Code is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
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