Interim Anti-Hazing Policy

Effective June 23, 2025

Policy Statement

Pomona College is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Towards that end, and in alignment with federal law (Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act), and California state law (Sections 32050 (245.6) and 32051 of the California Education Code and Section 48900 q of the California Penal Code), the College strictly prohibits hazing. Hazing can be psychologically and/or physically harmful to individuals, can damage organizations and teams, and undermines the educational mission and values of Pomona College.

Accordingly, no student, College employee or volunteer, student organization, or athletic team, shall conduct or condone hazing activities. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action. If you have knowledge of hazing or potential hazing activities, you should contact the Dean of Students Office who will investigate and take actions to stop the conduct as appropriate.

Definitions

Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person either actively or passively (whether individually, 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, of physical or psychological injury, including but not limited to the circumstances discussed in the “Examples” section below.

A level of coercion is often involved in hazing; an individual being hazed may not feel they can opt out of participation because of peer pressure or a desire to belong or “fit in” to the group. Because of the socially coercive nature of hazing, this definition of hazing applies regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate or their actual or apparent consent.

A student organization is defined 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.” Hazing does not generally include actions or situations that are part of officially sanctioned and supervised College activities such as athletic training and conditioning.

An individual can be responsible for violating this policy for soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in activities which violate this policy.

Examples

Hazing activities often involve alcohol; however, activities need not involve alcohol to violate this policy. Common examples of behaviors that can be hazing include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Any requirement or pressure put on an individual to participate in any activity which is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, or contrary to his/her genuine morals and/or beliefs (i.e., public profanity, lewd conduct, sexual gestures, public nudity or engaging in public stunts)
• 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 forcing an individual to shave, tattoo, pierce or brand any part of their body, including the hair on their head;
• 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;
• threatening to physically restrain someone or actually restraining them;
• assigning unreasonable chores or acts of servitude;
• causing excessive exercise, sleep deprivation or excessive fatigue;
• interfering with an individual’s personal hygiene;
• requiring the wearing of specific apparel or acting in a way that is conspicuous and may cause the individual embarrassment or ridicule;
• degrading or humiliating games and activities, including paddling;
• activities that would unreasonably interfere with students’ other activities or obligations (academic, extracurricular, family, religious, etc.);
• physical threats or abuse of any kind including throwing objects or substances at an individual Encouraging or requiring a person to consume alcohol, drugs, or foreign or unusual substances, including consumption of large quantities;
• encouraging the use of alcohol or illegal drugs;
• any activity against another person that includes a violation of school policy or criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
• any activity that induces, causes, forces or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of school policy or criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

The College will use a “reasonable person” standard when evaluating such conduct and its potential effects. The determination of whether a particular activity constitutes hazing will depend on the circumstances and context in which that activity is occurring. Some key questions which are used to evaluate whether an activity constitutes hazing include:

• Was a person or group being singled out because of their status with the group or team?
• Was there a risk of physical or psychological discomfort or harm as a result of the activity?
• Was the activity demeaning, abusive, or dangerous?
• Was there a level of coercion and/or peer pressure involved?
• How easily was someone able to opt out of the activity?
• Did the current members refuse to do what the new members were asked to do?
• Did the activity or activities interfere with the participants’ other activities or obligations (academic, extracurricular, family, religious, etc.)?
• Was alcohol involved?
• Was there a sexual element to the activity?
• Did any of the activities violate College policy or federal, state, or local law?

How to Avoid Hazing

There are many positive ways to welcome new members into a group or team. The Smith Campus Center or Dean of Students staff can assist you in identifying such activities which can help build cohesiveness and foster teamwork. When you are considering an activity associated with membership in an organization or team ask yourself: Would you feel comfortable describing the activity to others (parents, grandparents, College official, law enforcement, etc.)? If you would be hesitant to describe the activity to others then the activity may constitute hazing and the group would be best served in participating in a different activity.

Reporting Hazing Incidents

Pomona College encourages prompt reporting of any suspected hazing activities. Reports can be made through the following channels:

• Email: Josh Eisenberg, Dean of Campus Life, at josh.eisenberg@pomona.edu and/or DOS@pomona.edu
• Campus Safety: Contact at (909) 607-2000
• Dean of Students Office: Visit in person at Alexander Hall, Suite 102 or call (909) 621-8017.

All reports will be handled to protect the privacy of individuals with discretion, to the greatest extent possible.

Investigation Process

Upon receiving a hazing report, the College will:

• Initiate a Preliminary Assessment: Evaluate the substance and severity of the allegation.
• Conduct a Formal Investigation: If warranted, an investigation will be led by the Office of Student Affairs in collaboration with Campus Security.
• Implement Interim Measures: As necessary, to ensure the safety and well-being of students during the investigation.
• Conclude with Findings and Actions: Based on the investigation, the complaint may be referred to the Judicial Council, which will reach findings and disciplinary actions where appropriate, which may include suspension or expulsion of individuals or organizations found responsible.
• Reporting to Law Enforcement: In cases involving potential criminal conduct, the College will refer the matter to local law enforcement while continuing its internal investigation.

Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programs

Pomona College is dedicated to proactive hazing prevention through:

• Mandatory Educational Workshops: All students, members of student organizations, and employees must complete the hazing awareness and prevention training.
• Primary Prevention Strategies: Emphasizing the development of positive organizational cultures, peer leadership, and bystander intervention training to prevent hazing before it occurs.

Transparency and Accountability

In compliance with the SCHA, the College will:

• Publish an Annual Hazing Report: Detailing reported hazing incidents and outcomes, made publicly available on the College’s website.
• Maintain a Campus Hazing Transparency Report: Regularly updated to include information on hazing incidents and prevention policies, ensuring community awareness and institutional accountability.

Continuous Improvement

The College will regularly review and update this policy to ensure effectiveness and compliance with federal and state laws, incorporating feedback from the campus community and evolving best practices in hazing prevention. Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to provide feedback on the Anti-Hazing Policy to foster continuous improvement and inclusivity.