Anti-Hazing

Southwestern Community College is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where all students can learn and grow free from harm, intimidation, or coercion. In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024 and North Carolina General Statute §14-35, hazing is strictly prohibited on and off campus.

WHAT IS HAZING?
Hazing is 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, that:

1. is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the
   maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
   1. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the
      course of participation in the institution of higher education or the
      organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for
      participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury
      including but not limited to:
      • 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 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;
      • any activity against another person that includes a
        criminal violation of local, State, Tribal or Federal law;
        and/or
      • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another
        person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal
        violation of local, State, Tribal or Federal law.

Hazing is not permitted under any circumstance and violates the standards of conduct expected of all students and student organizations at Southwestern Community College. No individual or group may plan, engage in, or condone hazing activities, regardless of intent or tradition.

HOW TO REPORT HAZING
Complaints or reports of hazing should be submitted to the Dean of Students. Reports may be submitted:

• In-person: The Dean of Students Office located in Enrollment Services
  in the Balsam Center on the Jackson Campus
• By telephone: 828.339.4229
• Online: Incident reporting form

Anonymous reports will be reviewed; however, anonymous reports may limit the College’s ability to respond to and fully investigate the matter.

CAMPUS HAZING TRANSPARENCY REPORT
The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will identify any student organizations found responsible for hazing violations and will include a summary of the violation, relevant dates, and outcomes. This report will be updated at least twice each year. The first update will be in December 2025.