Understanding Hazing

The Honor Code expects students act with integrity, civility, and the utmost respect for the dignity of all human beings. Activities, rituals and traditions often affiliated with groups, organizations, or teams should build group cohesion in an affirming way that involves equal participation amongst new and experienced members. When this doesn’t occur, it may be hazing.

Connecticut College Hazing Definition

Hazing is strictly prohibited at Connecticut College and by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

Connecticut College defines hazing as a broad range of actions that either (1) willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of a person(s); or (2) causes physical or psychological discomfort or harm; or (3) demonstrates disregard for another’s persons dignity; or (4) causes or encourages a person to violate college policy or the federal/state/local law, primarily for the purposes of initiation, admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in a group, organization, or team. Given the inherent power dynamics of peer pressure, a student cannot reasonably consent to be hazed. Therefore, consent to be hazed may not be considered as a mitigating factor when determining whether an individual/group is responsible for hazing.

The Honor Code not only holds individuals or groups accountable for their own actions but may also hold individuals or groups accountable for the actions of others as well, particularly if they fail to intervene at any point. Students who (1) participate in the planning of such activities, (2) have knowledge of such activities, or (3) fail to intervene while witnessing such activities may be in violation of the Honor Code.

Connecticut College regularly engages with its student organization leaders and student-athletes to understand fostering positive group dynamics and recognize activities that may constitute hazing. Campus Safety provides education to the college's Campus Security Authorities to understand their responsibilities to identify and report activities that may constitute hazing under the Clery Act. Information about the College's hazing statistics may be found in the College's Annual Security report (as of December 2025).

What Hazing Can Look Like

Duties only assigned to new members
Depriving new members of group/team privileges
Socially isolating or ignoring new members
Deception
Scavenger hunts that involve new members engaging in illegal activities
Pressured or forced alcohol consumption or ingestion of any substance
Sexual Misconduct
Assault
Water intoxication
Public nudity
Holding individuals in a confined space

Exhaustive work outs, polar plunges, etc
Verbal abuse
Asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire or alter their appearance or hygiene practices (haircuts, hair dyeing)
Skit nights with degrading or humiliating acts
Expecting new members to perform personal services for other members such as waiting in line for event access, cleaning a room, apartment, house or running errands
Expecting new members to purchase items for other members
Any form of questioning under pressure or uncomfortable situation
Throwing/spraying liquid or other substances on new members

With the understanding that it is not always clear what kinds of activities are acceptable, students are encouraged to consult with their advisors, coaches, and/or members of the student life staff when planning an event.

Support for Responding to Hazing

When a student experiences hazing, witnesses hazing, or has first-hand knowledge of hazing activities, the student may seek guidance and support from the:

Director of Athletics - 860-439-2570
Senior Associate Dean of Student Life - 860-439-2825
Director of Student Engagement - 860-439-2825
Any Campus Security Authority including athletic coaches, student life staff, and class deans

These individuals can answer questions about the hazing policy, the process of filing a complaint, and the student conduct process.

Procedures for Responding to Hazing

Any member of the campus community who experiences, witnesses, or has knowledge of hazing must take one of the following actions: (1) notify Campus Safety, (2) notify the Senior Associate Dean of Student Life immediately, (3) or complete an incident report.
Upon receipt of such information, the Senior Associate Dean of Student Life or Dean of Students may take interim measures to ensure (1) the health and safety of those involved, (2) the integrity of the investigation process, and/or the (3) the integrity of the institution. Such measures may include, but are not limited to, temporary suspension of group/organization/team activity and/or funding, interim suspension of individual students, no contact orders, restricted access to campus buildings/property.
Connecticut College expressly prohibits any form of retaliation either during the investigation or after the resolution of the complaint. Retaliation is defined as any adverse action taken against someone engaged in a protected activity because they are engaged in that protected activity.
When a report of hazing is received, the Senior Associate Dean of Student Life will initiate the investigation process. If the known information indicates a matter involving discrimination or harassment, the complaint will be referred to the Harassment and Nondiscrimination process. Typically, an investigation report will be submitted to the Senior Associate Dean of Student Life within 15-30 business days of initiating the investigation. If the investigation report alleges violations of policy, a hearing board will be convened.

Dean of Students

P: 860-439-2832 F: 860-439-2897 E: nsargent@conncoll.edu

Mailing Address

Connecticut College
Box: 5256
270 Mohegan Ave.
New London, CT 06320

Dean of Students

Victor Arcelus
varcelus@conncoll.edu

Office Hours

Monday — Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m (Appointment only)

Assistant to the Dean of Students

Nancy Sargent
nsargent@conncoll.edu