Hazing Prevention and Information

Hazing Prevention

Gettysburg College is proud of its long history of fraternities and sororities on campus. The College, College Panhellenic Association, and Interfraternity Council also recognize that hazing has no place among its Greek Letter organizations. Below are list of resources for those who believe they have been subject to, have witnessed, or have information about hazing occurring in fraternities or sororities on campus.

Hazing prevention is a community effort and we encourage anyone who has information about hazing activities to come forward and report the conduct.

Gettysburg College Policy and Law Violation Reports

Statement on Hazing

Gettysburg College opposes all forms of hazing. From a legal perspective, hazing is a crime. From an individual student's perspective, hazing damages the self-esteem of the targets of the hazing. From an organizational perspective, hazing degrades the values of the organization. From a campus community perspective, hazing creates an environment of disrespect that contradicts the values of our community. For all of these reasons, the College takes a strong position against any and all forms of hazing.

**Please note that the College's anti-hazing policy applies to all recognized student organizations.

Gettysburg College defines Hazing as:

Gettysburg College prohibits students, recognized student organizations, fraternities and sororities, varsity athletic teams and all other student groups from engaging in Hazing. For the purposes of this policy, the College defines Hazing consistent with Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.

Hazing is defined as a person that intentionally, knowingly or recklessly for the purpose of initiating, admitting or affiliating a minor or student into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing a minor or student’s membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces or forces a minor or student to do any of the following items:

  • Violate Federal or State criminal law;
  • Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the minor or student to a risk of emotional or physical harm;
  • Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements;
  • Endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;
  • Endure brutality of a sexual nature;
  • Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the minor or student.

Aggravated Hazing is defined as a person that commits a violation of Hazing that results in serious bodily injury or death to the minor or student; and

  • The person acts with reckless indifference to the health and safety of the minor or student; or
  • The person causes, coerces, or forces the consumption of an alcoholic liquid or drug by the minor or student.

Organizational Hazing is defined as an organization that intentionally, knowingly or recklessly promotes or facilitates a violation of Hazing or Aggravated Hazing.

Gettysburg College prohibits all forms of Hazing as described in this policy. It shall not be a defense that the consent of the minor or student was sought or obtained. It is also not a defense that the conduct was sanctioned and or approved by the organization.

The Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law defines Hazing as:

A person commits Hazing if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly for the purpose of initiating, admitting or affiliating a minor or student into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing a minor or student’s membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces or forces a minor or student to do any of the following items:

  • Violate Federal or State criminal law;
  • Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the minor or student to a risk of emotional or physical harm;
  • Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements;
  • Endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;
  • Endure brutality of a sexual nature;
  • Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the minor or student.

A person commits Aggravated Hazing if the person commits a violation of Hazing that results in serious bodily injury or death to the minor or student; and

  • The person acts with reckless indifference to the health and safety of the minor or student; or
  • The person causes, coerces, or forces the consumption of an alcoholic liquid or drug by the minor or student.

An organization commits Organizational Hazing if the organization intentionally, knowingly or recklessly promotes or facilitates a violation of Hazing or Aggravated Hazing.

Gettysburg College recognizes that there are additional problematic behaviors that no longer fall under the definition of hazing within the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.

As such, the College has adopted the Organizational Misconduct Policy, which is outlined as:

Gettysburg College defines organizational misconduct as any act directed toward or an action required of an individual by an organization when the required act or action:

  1. Is a condition of new or ongoing membership in a student club or organization, athletic team, club sport, intramural team, band or performance group, or academic organization/society or as a condition of participation in an organizational activity; and,
  2. Places unreasonable limitations on another person’s activities or ability to engage or associate with others; imposes unreasonable requirements of physical appearance or dress; includes assignment of tasks or actions which are demeaning or subjects the person to excessive embarrassment or ridicule; consists of required servitude; or, organizational penalties or sanctions are applied for non-conformity; and,
  3. Has not been authorized by a designated employee of the College. Designated employees are defined as full-time staff members who work in offices or departments that grant recognition to and oversee the operations of a group, team, or organization. Such employees include, but are not limited to, the Associate Provost, coaches, and the Office of Student Activities & Greek Life staff.

Gettysburg College prohibits Organizational Misconduct as described in this policy. It shall not be a defense that the consent of the student was sought or obtained.

Hazing Prevention Resources

On Campus Resources

External Resources

How to Report Instances of Hazing or Organizational Misconduct

If you believe hazing or organizational misconduct is occurring in any Gettysburg College student organizations you can report it to any campus administrator. Below is a list of preferred offices to report the incident to:

  • The Office of Student Activities and Greek Life
  • The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
    • (717) 337-6907
  • Campus Safety
    • (717) 337-6911

College Response to Hazing

Any allegations of hazing reported to the College will be investigated. If the investigation yields evidence of hazing, the College will then take appropriate disciplinary action against the individuals and/or organizations deemed responsible for the hazing. The Student Conduct Review Board may hear charges against organizations and individuals. Disciplinary action would include both punitive sanctions (e.g. fines, loss of privileges, suspension or expulsion of the organization) and educational sanctions (e.g. programs, workshops, etc.). Please note that the College will also support any victim of hazing if they want to speak to the local police about the possibility of pressing criminal charges.

Amended by Student Life Council - April 27, 1999