Policy: Campus Safety and Hazing

Document Number: 2.003
Title: Campus Safety and Hazing
Effective Date: 07/01/2018
Revised Dated: 06/18/2025; 10/7/2018; 10/12/18

POLICY

The Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) is committed to providing a supportive educational environment free from hazing, one that promotes its students’ mental and physical well-being, safety, and respect for one’s self and others.  In accordance with H.R.5646 “The Stop Campus Hazing Act,” Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:1801.1, 14:40.8, 14.502, and the Board of Regents Uniform Policy on Hazing Prevention, River Parishes Community College shall prohibit hazing and take all reasonable measures to address hazing, including without limitation: adoption of effective policies; clear communication to campus organizations, students, and other stakeholders of laws and policies; prompt and faithful enforcement thereof; education, and training. RPCC shall take prompt and appropriate action to investigate and effectively discipline those accused of such conduct in a manner consistent with all applicable laws. RPCC shall implement and enforce with full fidelity and consistency the Hazing Laws and this policy.  Failure to enforce or inconsistencies in enforcement shall constitute violation of the Hazing Laws and this policy.  In cases of any inconsistency, the statutory provisions and/or System policy shall supersede any such inconsistent provision in this policy.

A. Definitions

Hazing means 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 when: 

 

Reckless behavior is an activity or behavior in which a reasonable person knew or reasonably should have known that the activity or behavior may result in injury to another, including but not limited to excessive consumption of alcohol, binge drinking, drag racing, consumption of any controlled dangerous substance, acts of hazing, or other similar activity. 

Serious bodily injury is bodily injury that involves unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, or protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, death, or a substantial risk of death.

B. Policy, Law, and Processes Related to Hazing

Hazing is strictly prohibited in Louisiana, with comprehensive policies and laws in place to prevent and address such activities. If you witness or suspect hazing, it is imperative to report it immediately. In emergency situations, dial 911. For non-emergencies, reports can typically be made to the Dean of Students or through the Code of Conduct Violation form.

Upon receiving a hazing report, the college is required to conduct a thorough investigation. This process involves collecting detailed information, interviewing involved parties, and collaborating with law enforcement when necessary. The college must document all actions taken, including the dates reports were received and any subsequent measures implemented.

State laws and college policies increase the penalties for hazing. LRS 14:40.8 defines Criminal Hazing.

Under the Max Gruver Act, hazing is now considered a felony. Educational institutions are mandated to implement anti-hazing policies, provide preventive education, and enforce disciplinary actions against individuals or organizations involved in hazing. Non-compliance can result in severe consequences, including expulsion, suspension, or dismissal for students, and termination for employees. ​

Hazing of any kind is illegal and strictly prohibited at RPCC. Any such incidents will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and pursued to the fullest extent of the RPCC Student Code of Conduct.

C. Consent

Consent to hazing is not a defense. No one can consent to being hazed.

D. Prohibition

No student organization or individual shall employ a program of student initiation/pledge education or social events which includes hazing. 

E. Duty to Report

All current or potential student organization members and any faculty or staff member has a duty to report any violation of this policy to the appropriate institution administrator. Report Here!

F. Expectations for Violations

In addition to potential criminal penalties related to hazing, any violation of this policy, including knowledge of and failure to report hazing activity, will result in expulsion, suspension, or dismissal, in the case of students, and may result in termination in the case of employees.  Students will not be permitted to return for at least one semester.  In addition, there will be a suspension of activities for a minimum of one academic year of any student organization that participates in hazing. Individuals accused of violations of this policy will be adjudicated through the college’s codified student and/or employee judicial process and may be subject to criminal penalties. 

G. Publication and Dissemination

College policies on hazing shall be published on college and student organization websites and included in all Student Handbooks and Student Codes of Conduct.  

H. Prevention and Education Programs

Prevention and awareness programs related to hazing include primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before hazing occurs, including bystander intervention training, information about ethical leadership, and the promotion strategies for building group cohesion without hazing.  RPCC shall implement the following measures to prevent and address hazing:

(i) Each new student shall be provided educational information on the dangers of and prohibition on hazing during the new student orientation process in the form of a handbook.

(ii) In addition to the requirement of providing educational information in the form of a handbook, each new student shall be provided educational information on the dangers of and prohibition on hazing during the new student orientation process either in person or electronically.

(iii) Each organization as defined above in this policy and in R.S. 17:1801.1 shall provide annually at least two hours of hazing prevention education to all members and prospective members. The education may be provided in person, electronically, or both. Each organization shall submit a report annually to the institution with which it is affiliated relative to the students, employees, and volunteers receiving such education evidenced by an attestation of such individuals receiving the education.  The institution shall terminate the organization's operation on campus if it fails to comply with the provisions of this Subsection and shall submit a report to the House Committee on Education and Senate Committee on Education upon such termination.

(iv) The hazing prevention education required under the provisions above shall include the information about criminal penalties for the crime of criminal hazing. Information shall also be provided to organizations on their obligations under the law, including the duty to investigate and report; and on the possible loss of funding and other penalties applicable to organizations under the Hazing Laws.

I. Duty to Seek Assistance

In accordance with Act 637 of 2018, codified at R.S. 14:502, RPCC policy requires any person at the scene of an emergency who knows that another person has suffered bodily injury caused by an act of hazing shall, to the extent that the person can do so without danger or peril to self or others, give reasonable assistance to the injured person. Criminal penalties may result in failure to seek assistance in violation of R.S. 14:502.

J. Inclusion of Hazing Incidents in the Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act Annual Security Reports

Annual Security Reports (ASRs) shall include the following:

1. Statistics for hazing incidents that occurred on or after January 1, 2025;
2. Each separate hazing incident that was reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies;
3. Compilation of hazing incidents as a single hazing incident if the same person or persons commit more than one hazing act, and the time and place intervals separating each act are insignificant.

K. The Campus Hazing Transparency Report

An institution is not required to develop the Campus Hazing Transparency Report until the institution has a finding of a hazing violation. An institution is also not required to update the Campus Hazing Transparency Report for any period where there was no finding of a hazing violation for that period.

The report shall:

1. Summarize findings concerning any student organization established or recognized by the institution that is found to have violated this hazing policy;

2. Include information with respect to hazing incidents that occur on or after July 1, 2025;

3. Be publicly available on each institution’s website in a prominent location with:

a. a statement notifying the public of the availability of annual hazing statistics.

b. information about the institution’s policies relating to hazing.

c. The 5 most recent calendar years of reports.

4. Be updated and posted to institutional websites on a semi-annual basis;

5. Not include any personally identifiable information (PII) according to the Family Educational;

6. Include the following information:

a. The name of the student organization;

b. A general description of the violation that resulted in a finding of responsibility;

c. Whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs;

d. The findings of the institution;

e. The dates on which the incident was alleged to have occurred;

f.  The dates the investigation into the incident was initiated;

g. The dates the investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred; and

h. The dates the institution provided notice to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation;

i.  Any additional information determined by the institution to be necessary or required by State law.

L. Recommended Best Practices

In addition to the mandatory components of college policies and practices, each college is encouraged to follow best practices for ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns, effective intervention, and response plans.