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Institutional Policy |
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Hazing Policy |
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Revised by:
Elisandra Rodriguez, VP Student Affairs
Jonaira Arroyo, AVP Student Affairs
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Effective Date:
09/19/2025
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Policy: 4.003AL
Revision No. 01
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References: N/A |
Next Revision:
10/01/2026
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Purpose
Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is committed to safeguarding the safety, dignity, and well-being of all members of its community. This policy prohibits hazing in all its forms, in compliance with Puerto Rico law, Missouri law, and applicable state and federal regulations.
Definitions
- Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by one or more people against another person or group, with or without their consent, that causes harm, humiliation, intimidation, or risk to safety.
- Student Organization refers to any group in which two or more members are enrolled at PHSU, whether officially recognized or not, including but not limited to; student associations, interest group, class executive board or student class directives, societies, student government, and sports teams.
- Supportive Measures means non-disciplinary and non-punitive services are reasonably available to preserve equal access to University programs, including class reassignment, non-contact orders, or counseling referrals.
Policy Statement
PHSU enforces a zero-tolerance policy for hazing, whether physical, mental, emotional, psychological, or social. Hazing is strictly prohibited across all student groups, whether academic, professional, athletic, cultural, or social, including both recognized and unrecognized student organizations. Participation in, promotion of, consent to, or failure to report hazing constitutes a serious violation of University policy and will result in disciplinary action under the PHSU Grievance Policy. This prohibition applies to on-campus and off-campus activities, whether the conduct occurs during official or unofficial student events.
Scope
This policy applies to:
- All students (full-time, part-time, on-site, visitors’ students or online).
- Faculty, staff, administrators, and employees.
- Visitors, contractors, and guests participating in any University-related event or activity.
Applicable Laws
This policy is aligned with and reinforced by the following laws:
- Puerto Rico Criminal Code - Article 111 (33 L.P.R.A. § 5164): Establishes that any person who, through negligence, endangers the physical or mental health or violates the human dignity of any applicant for membership in an organization, fraternity, sorority, or any other group that, as part of its initiation process, engages in practices harmful to the dignity and personal integrity of the applicant shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Practices harmful to personal dignity and integrity shall be understood to include the forced consumption of food, liquor, alcoholic beverages, narcotic drugs, or any other substance; subjecting the applicant to strenuous physical exercise; risky exposure to inclement weather; extended deprivation of food, rest, or sleep; extended isolation; any type of scratching, hitting, whipping, beating, burning, or marking; and any treatment that adversely affects the physical or mental health or safety of the applicant. It is further provided that any educational institution that negligently allows the acts prohibited herein to occur anywhere on its property or under its possession, custody, or control shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
- United States Federal Law - Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), Clery Act): Requires institutions of higher education to report hazing incidents as part of campus crime statistics.
- Missouri Revised Statutes - §§ 578.360-578.365 (Anti-Hazing Law): Criminalizes hazing in any student organization, with penalties for both individuals and organizations. Holds universities responsible for tolerating or failing to address hazing.
- Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), 2024: Establishes nationwide requirements for tracking, reporting, and publishing hazing-related data.
- PHSU Grievance Policy and Code of Student Conduct: Establish internal disciplinary processes and sanctions consistent with these legal obligations.
Federal Compliance - Stop Campus Hazing Act
In alignment with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), signed into federal law in December 2024, PHSU reaffirms its commitment to full compliance with all federally mandated requirements. The University will adopt the following measures:
- Annual Security Report (ASR) Statistics
Beginning January 1, 2025, PHSU will collect and track all hazing incidents occurring within Clery geography (on-campus, non-campus property, and adjacent public property). Starting October 1, 2026, PHSU will publish hazing statistics as part of the ASR, alongside other Clery-reportable offenses.
- Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR)
PHSU will prepare and maintain a publicly accessible report of confirmed hazing violations committed by student organizations. The CHTR will include the name of the organization found responsible, a general description of the violation, and key dates (incident, initiation and conclusion of the investigation, and notification). The report will be posted prominently on the University’s website and updated at least twice per year, beginning no later than December 23, 2025.
- Publication of Anti-Hazing Statement and Prevention Programming
On September 19th, 2025, PHSU published and maintain a comprehensive anti-hazing statement that includes:
- The University’s anti-hazing policies,
- Procedures for reporting and investigating hazing,
- Links to applicable local, state, and federal laws.
PHSU will also design and promote research-informed prevention and awareness programs accessible to students, faculty, and staff. These include campus-wide campaigns, leadership training, and the distribution of educational resources.
- Integration with University Policy and Enforcement
The SCHA is hereby incorporated into the PHSU Anti-Hazing Policy. Failure to comply with its requirements may result in additional federal oversight and institutional accountability. PHSU reaffirms its commitment to transparency, prevention, and accountability in compliance with all federal, state, and territorial laws.
Prohibited Conduct
Examples of hazing behaviors include, but are not limited to:
- Physical abuse (e.g., paddling, forced exercise).
- Forced or coerced ingestion of alcohol, drugs, or other substances.
- Humiliation, psychological intimidation, or public degradation in any way or form, including social media.
- Sleep deprivation, social isolation, or restriction of movement.
- Coercion to commit illegal, unsafe, or degrading acts.
Reporting Mechanism
All suspected hazing incidents must be promptly reported to the Office of Student Affairs, Campus Director, Campus Security or through designated mechanisms:
Reports may be submitted confidentially or anonymously. Retaliation against individuals who report hazing in good faith is strictly prohibited and constitutes a separate violation.
Procedure for Enforcement
Hazing is strictly prohibited at PHSU. Engaging in, facilitating, or participating in any activity that constitutes hazing is considered a serious violation of University policy and will result in disciplinary action under the PHSU Grievance Policy. Supportive measures will be provided as appropriate during the investigation to protect affected individuals. In emergencies, Campus Security or local authorities should be contacted immediately.
According to the PHSU Grievance Policy:
- Any member of the academic community may report an incident to the Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee), who will gather information and attempt an early resolution. If resolved, the outcome and action plan will be documented, with follow-up in six to eight weeks to ensure no retaliation.
- If unresolved, a three-member Investigation Committee will be appointed to review the case and recommend action. The Vice President for Student Affairs will notify the student or student’s organization of the decision within a maximum of three months.
- Student or Student’s Organization may appeal the decision in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs within five working days. Appeals are reviewed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who may confirm, overturn, or appoint an Ad Hoc Committee for further review. The final decision rests with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and will be communicated in writing.
Sanctions
Violations of this policy are considered serious breaches of the University’s Code of Conduct and community standards. Sanctions will be determined based on the severity of the offense, the level of involvement, and whether the violation was committed by an individual student or a student organization. Additional referrals to external authorities may also be required.
If hazing is determined to have occurred, the following sanctions may be imposed:
- Individual Students
- Written reprimand
- Restriction of extracurricular activities
- Mandatory training
- Disciplinary probation
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Mandatory reporting to Puerto Rico and Missouri authorities, as required by law
- Student Organizations
- Suspension or revocation of official recognition
- Loss of institutional funding or privileges
- Mandatory reporting to Puerto Rico and Missouri authorities, as required by law
Protection from Retaliation
Individuals who report hazing in good faith or who participate in an investigation are protected from retaliation. Any retaliatory conduct will be treated as a separate violation under the University’s grievance policy and may result in disciplinary action.
Support and Counseling
Counseling and psychological support services will be made available to students affected by hazing. When necessary, referrals to external professional services will also be provided to ensure comprehensive support and care.
Education, Training, and Awareness
PHSU will provide ongoing training and awareness initiatives to ensure that all members of the University community are informed about this Anti-Hazing Policy. These initiatives will include education on reporting responsibilities, prevention strategies, and institutional procedures. Campus-wide prevention and awareness campaigns will also be implemented to foster a culture of respect, safety, and accountability.
Faculty and Staff Training
The Office of Human Resources will require all employees and faculty to complete the annual hazing prevention training available through the Vector Solutions LMS platform. Training will also address reporting obligations, prevention strategies, and institutional response procedures. Completion of this training is mandatory as part of PHSU’s compliance requirements.
Students and Student Organizations Training
All student organization leaders are required to complete annual hazing prevention training available through Vector Solutions LMS. Completion of this training is a prerequisite for registering and maintaining recognition of any student organization at PHSU. In addition, the Office of Student Affairs, in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Office, will coordinate preventive programming, including workshops, awareness campaigns, and the distribution of educational resources, to reinforce a safe and respectful campus environment.
Publication and Accessibility
This policy, along with the Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR), will be published on the University’s website under the Office of Student Affairs section. It will also be distributed to students, faculty, and staff through orientation programs, leadership training, and other communication channels to ensure broad accessibility.
In addition, the report will be available to students, employees, and the public through the University’s official website: www.phsu.edu.
Compliance Monitoring
The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, in coordination with the Office of Facilities and Security, will be responsible for monitoring adherence to this policy. A formal compliance review will be conducted every two years, including an evaluation of grievances, reports, and any hazing-related cases. Findings will be documented and used to enhance prevention efforts, strengthen institutional accountability, and ensure continuous improvement in compliance practices.
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