Hazing Prevention and Education

Interim Policy Statement on Hazing, Policy/Procedure, and Prevention/Education

Saint Xavier University (SXU) is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, inclusive, and mission-centered learning and working environment. Consistent with the University's Catholic and Mercy values, SXU prohibits hazing in any form. Hazing is inconsistent with the dignity and worth of each person and undermines the safety, well-being, and integrity of the University community.

This policy applies to all Saint Xavier University students, student organizations, athletic teams, clubs, groups, employees, volunteers, alumni, and other individuals acting in connection with University-sponsored or University-recognized activities, whether the conduct occurs on campus, off campus, in person, online, or through electronic communication.

This section is intended to comply with applicable federal law, including the Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024, which amended the Clery Act to require institutions of higher education to collect and report hazing statistics, publish hazing policy information, describe hazing prevention and awareness programs, and maintain a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. Institutions are required to begin collecting hazing statistics for inclusion in the 2026 Annual Security Report and to make required hazing policies and transparency reporting available according to federal implementation timelines.

Definition of Hazing Under Saint Xavier University Policy

For purposes of University policy, hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against another person or persons, regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that is committed in connection with initiation into, affiliation with, admission into, continued membership in, or participation in any student organization, athletic team, club, group, or University-affiliated activity, and that causes, creates, or is likely to create a risk of physical injury, mental or emotional harm, humiliation, degradation, intimidation, abuse, or endangerment.

Hazing may occur regardless of whether the conduct is presented as optional, traditional, team-building, bonding, initiation, or a condition of membership or continued participation. The expressed or implied consent of the individual subjected to hazing is not a defense to a violation of University policy.

Silent participation, active encouragement, planning, observation, failure to intervene when safe to do so, or failure to report known hazing may also constitute a violation of University policy.

Examples of prohibited hazing include, but are not limited to:

Physical brutality, including whipping, beating, striking, branding, paddling, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, or forced consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances.
Sleep deprivation, confinement, isolation, forced servitude, or activities that interfere with academic, employment, athletic, or personal responsibilities.
Conduct that causes or is likely to cause physical injury, illness, extreme fatigue, psychological harm, intimidation, shame, humiliation, or emotional distress.
Activities involving alcohol, controlled substances, or other substances, including forced, coerced, or pressured consumption.
Forced or coerced violation of University policy, law, or standards of conduct.
Personal servitude, errands, cleaning, carrying items, or other tasks imposed on new, prospective, or continuing members because of their status in a group.
Degrading, embarrassing, or harassing conduct, including conduct occurring through social media, messaging platforms, video, photography, or other electronic means.
Any activity that would subject a reasonable person to fear, intimidation, ridicule, humiliation, or a substantial risk of harm as a condition of joining, remaining in, or participating in a group or organization.

Basic Laws Against Hazing

For purposes of federal Clery Act reporting, as amended by the Stop Campus Hazing Act, hazing includes conduct reported to a campus security authority or local law enforcement agency that falls within the federal definition of hazing and occurs within Clery Act geography. The University will classify and count hazing reports for Annual Security Report purposes in accordance with federal law, Department of Education guidance, and applicable Clery Act reporting requirements.

The University's policy definition of hazing may be broader than the definition used for federal statistical reporting or criminal prosecution. Conduct may violate Saint Xavier University policy even if it does not result in criminal charges, does not meet the applicable criminal-law definition of hazing, or is not counted as a Clery-reportable hazing statistic.

Saint Xavier University is located in Illinois and is subject to applicable Illinois law. Under 720 ILCS 5/12C-50, a person commits hazing when the person knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution, if the act is not sanctioned or authorized by the institution and results in bodily harm to any person.

Under Illinois law, hazing is generally classified as a Class A misdemeanor. If hazing results in death or great bodily harm, it may be charged as a more serious offense under applicable law.

The Illinois criminal-law definition is used by law enforcement and courts in determining whether criminal hazing has occurred. Saint Xavier University's institutional policy definition is used in determining whether University policy has been violated. Because the University's policy is designed to protect student and community safety, the University may address conduct as hazing even when the conduct does not meet the criminal-law standard or does not result in criminal prosecution.

Saint Xavier University will comply with applicable local, state, federal, and, where relevant, tribal laws regarding hazing, abuse, assault, harassment, alcohol, drugs, endangerment, and related conduct. The University's Chicago campus operates within the jurisdiction of applicable municipal and state authorities. Reports involving possible criminal conduct may be referred to or investigated by the Saint Xavier University Public Safety Department/Campus Police and/or appropriate local law enforcement agencies.

At this time, the University is not aware of any tribal hazing law that applies generally to Saint Xavier University's Chicago campus operations. If University programs, activities, field placements, travel, or partnerships occur in jurisdictions where Tribal law may apply, the University will comply with applicable tribal law and cooperate with appropriate authorities as required.

Prohibited Conduct

Saint Xavier University prohibits hazing by individuals, groups, teams, and organizations, whether recognized or unrecognized by the University. Prohibited conduct includes hazing that occurs:

On University property.
In University housing or facilities.
At University-sponsored or University-recognized events.
During student organization, athletic, club, team, or group activities.
During off-campus events, retreats, travel, practices, meetings, gatherings, or social activities.
Through electronic communication, social media, messaging apps, video, or other digital platforms.
Before, during, or after initiation, recruitment, intake, tryouts, selection, affiliation, membership, or continued participation.

A student organization, athletic team, club, or group may be held responsible for hazing when the conduct is committed by one or more members, officers, alumni, advisors, coaches, volunteers, or others acting in connection with the organization or when the organization knew or should have known of the conduct and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent or stop it.

Actions Taken

Saint Xavier University encourages all students, employees, parents, families, alumni, visitors, and community members to report suspected hazing immediately. Reports may be made by individuals who experienced hazing, witnessed hazing, learned of hazing, or have reason to believe hazing may occur.

Reports may be made online, and upon receipt may be routed to:

Saint Xavier University Public Safety Department/Campus Police. Public Safety is located on campus in Parking Lot 5 and may be contacted at 773-298-3541. SXU's public materials identify Public Safety as the office responsible for campus safety and Clery-related reporting.
Office of the Dean of Students. Reports involving students or student organizations should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students.
Office of Human Resources. Reports involving employees, faculty, staff, or workplace-related conduct should be directed to Human Resources.
Athletics Department or Coach/Supervisor. Reports involving athletic teams may also be made to appropriate Athletics staff, coaches, or supervisors, who are expected to report concerns through University channels.
Campus Security Authorities. Reports may be made to any designated Campus Security Authority under the Clery Act.
Local Law Enforcement or Emergency Services. In an emergency or when there is an immediate threat to health or safety, individuals should call 911 and/or contact Public Safety immediately.

Reports may be made regardless of when the alleged hazing occurred. Individuals are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible, including names of individuals or organizations involved, date, time, location, description of conduct, witnesses, photographs, videos, messages, or other relevant information.

The University will make reasonable efforts to protect the privacy of individuals involved, consistent with its obligation to review, investigate, respond to, and report hazing as required by law. Anonymous reports may be submitted where available; however, the University's ability to investigate and respond may be limited when reports lack sufficient detail.

Saint Xavier University will review and respond to reports of hazing promptly, fairly, and equitably. The process used may vary depending on the individuals involved, the nature of the allegations, the location of the conduct, and whether the matter involves students, employees, recognized student organizations, athletic teams, or outside parties.

Generally, the University's response may include the following steps:

Initial Review. The appropriate University office will review the report to determine whether the alleged conduct may constitute hazing or another violation of University policy. The University may also assess whether immediate safety measures are needed.
Supportive and Interim Measures. The University may implement supportive or interim measures to protect individuals and the campus community. These measures may include no-contact directives, temporary restrictions on organization activities, housing or academic adjustments, removal from activities, interim suspension, or other measures appropriate to the circumstances.
Notice to Involved Parties. When appropriate, individuals or organizations alleged to have engaged in hazing will receive notice of the allegations and information about the applicable process.
Investigation. The University may gather information through interviews, documents, electronic communications, photographs, videos, social media content, medical or incident reports, law enforcement information, and other relevant evidence.
Coordination with Law Enforcement. If the reported conduct may constitute a crime, the University may notify or coordinate with law enforcement. The University's administrative process may proceed independently of any criminal investigation or court proceeding.
Determination. The University will determine whether a violation of University policy occurred based on the applicable standard of evidence used in the relevant conduct process.
Sanctions and Corrective Action. Individuals or organizations found responsible for hazing may be subject to disciplinary action, educational sanctions, restrictions, loss of recognition, suspension, expulsion, termination, or other corrective measures.
Documentation and Reporting. The University will document hazing reports, findings, and outcomes as required by federal law, the Clery Act, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, and applicable University recordkeeping practices.

The health and safety of students and community members are the University's highest priorities. Students are encouraged to seek immediate medical or emergency assistance for themselves or others without delay.

The University may, in appropriate circumstances, consider educational or supportive responses rather than disciplinary action for minor policy violations disclosed as a result of seeking help for hazing-related harm, alcohol or drug-related emergencies, or other safety concerns. This consideration does not apply to individuals or organizations that engaged in hazing, caused harm, threatened others, or otherwise created a serious risk to health or safety.

Retaliation Prohibited

Saint Xavier University prohibits retaliation against any person who reports hazing, participates in an investigation, seeks assistance, supports another person, or otherwise engages in protected activity related to a hazing concern. Retaliation includes intimidation, threats, coercion, harassment, adverse action, exclusion, or other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from reporting or participating in a University process.

Retaliation may result in disciplinary action independent of whether the underlying hazing allegation is substantiated.

Hazing Prevention

Hazing Prevention and Awareness Policy

Saint Xavier University is committed not only to responding to hazing but also to preventing hazing before it occurs. The University will provide hazing prevention and awareness programming designed to reach students, faculty, staff, coaches, advisors, student leaders, student organizations, athletic teams, and other members of the University community.

Consistent with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the University's hazing prevention and awareness efforts will include education about:

The University's hazing policy.
How to identify hazing and high-risk group behavior.
How to report hazing.
The University's investigation and resolution process.
The difference between healthy group bonding and hazing.
The role of power, coercion, secrecy, tradition, and social pressure in hazing.

Primary Prevention Strategies

Saint Xavier University will use primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before it occurs. These strategies may include bystander intervention education, leadership development, specialized training for certain populations (athletics, student organizations, etc.), new-student orientation education, awareness campaigns, and ongoing review of policies and practices.

The University may include other innovative approaches or strategies based on campus needs, legal requirements, emerging risks, assessment results, and guidance from federal or state authorities.

Hazing Reports

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Saint Xavier University will maintain and publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report in a prominent location on the University's public website. The report will summarize findings concerning student organizations that are found responsible for violating the University's standards of conduct related to hazing, as required by federal law.

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will be updated at least twice each year and will include information required by law while protecting personally identifiable information and student privacy. Federal guidance indicates that institutions must document applicable violations beginning July 1, 2025, make the transparency report publicly available by the applicable deadline, and update it at least two times per year.

Annual Security Report Hazing Statistics

Saint Xavier University will collect and include hazing statistics in its Annual Security Report as required by the Clery Act, as amended by the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Hazing statistics will include qualifying hazing incidents reported to Campus Security Authorities or local law enforcement agencies and occurring within Clery Act geography.

Policy Review and Institutional Responsibility

Saint Xavier University will periodically review and, when appropriate, revise its hazing policy, reporting procedures, investigation practices, prevention programs, and public disclosures to maintain compliance with federal law, Illinois law, Clery Act requirements, and institutional values.

Responsibility for implementation may include collaboration among the Dean of Students, Student Life, Public Safety Department/Campus Police, Athletics, Human Resources, Title IX or civil rights personnel where applicable, legal counsel, faculty and staff leaders, student organization advisors, and other University offices.

Members of the University community are expected to understand and comply with this policy, participate in required education, intervene when safe and appropriate, report suspected hazing, and contribute to a campus culture that promotes dignity, safety, belonging, and accountability.

For more information, please see the following resources:

Other helpful resources, external to SXU, are coming soon.