I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff that is free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the school district and are prohibited at all times.

II. General Statement of Policy

A. No student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor or other employee of the school district shall plan, direct, encourage, aid, or engage in hazing.

B. No teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employee of the school district shall permit, condone, or tolerate hazing.

C. Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.

D. Hazing activities are seriously disruptive of the educational process in that they involve students and violence or threats of violence. This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and/or after school hours.

E. A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to initiate another person or to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.

F. The school district will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, con-tractor, or other employee of the school district who is found to have violated this policy.

III. Definitions

A. "Hazing" means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose. The term hazing includes, but is not limited to:

1. Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, or placing a harmful substance on the body.

2. Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to a risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

3. Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product or any other food, liquid, or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

4. Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from remaining in school.

5. Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of state or federal law or of school district policies or regulations.

IV. Reporting Procedures

A. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or belief or conduct which may constitute hazing shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school district official designated by this policy.

B. The building principal is the person responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level. Any person may report hazing directly to the Assistant Superintendent or to the Superintendent.

C. Teachers, administrators, volunteers, con-tractors, and other employees of the school district shall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances or events which might include hazing. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall inform the building principal immediately.

D. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter's future employ-ment, grades, or work assignments.

Policy 5131.91