Londonderry School District, NH Hazing Policy

Type: Policy

Status: Adopted on 11/30/04

Source File: http://www.londonderry.org/assets/documents/district/hazing.pdf

Text:

It is the policy of the Londonderry School District that no student or employee of the District shall participate in or be members of any secret fraternity or secret organization that is in any degree related to the school or to a school activity. No student organization or any person associated with any organization sanctioned by the School Board shall engage or participate in hazing.

For the purposes of this policy, hazing is defined as an activity which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental 9r physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization sanctioned or authorized by the School Board.

"Endanger the physical health" shall include, but is not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as:

• whipping;
• beating;
• branding;
• forced calisthenics;
• exposure to the elements;
• forced consumption of any food, alcoholic beverage, drug or controlled dangerous substance;
• or any forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual.

"Endanger the mental health" shall include any activity, except those activities authorized by law, which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as:

• prolonged sleep deprivation,
• forced prolonged exclusion from social contact which could result in extreme embarrassment,
• or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.

Any hazing activity upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with an organization sanctioned or authorized by the School Board is conditioned, directly or indirectly, shall be presumed to be a forced activity, even if the student willingly participates in such activity.

Examples of behavior that could be considered hazing include being forced to:

1. Destroy or steal property.

2. Be tied up, taped or confined in a small space.

3. Be paddled, whipped, beaten, kicked or beat up others.

4. Do embarrassing, painful or dangerous acts.

5. Be kidnapped or transported and abandoned.

6. Consume spicy or disgusting concoctions.

7. Be deprived of sleep, rood or hygiene.

8. Engage in or simulate sexual acts.

9. Participate in drinking contests.

10. Be tattooed or pierced.

This policy is not intended to deprive School District authorities from taking necessary and appropriate disciplinary action toward any student or employee. Students or employees who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action which may include expulsion for student and employment termination for employees.

A copy of this policy will be furnished to each student and teacher in the School District.

HAZING COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

1. Administrators, Athletic Coaches, Co-Curricular Advisors will address and review the Hazing Policy and procedure at the start of each season and the initial meeting of each school sponsored extra/co-curricular program. In addition, at least once during each season and/or once during each semester, coaches and advisors of the extra/co-curricular programs will review the policy.

2. When a student believes that s/he has been subject to hazing, the student shall promptly report the incident, orally (and have that reduced to writing) or in writing, to the building principal and/or assistant principal.

3. The principal and/or the assistant principal shall conduct a timely, impartial, thorough and comprehensive investigation of the alleged hazing.

4. The principal and/or the assistant principal shall prepare a written report summarizing the investigation and recommending disposition of the complaint. Copies of the confidential report shall be provided to the complainant, the accused and others directly involved, as appropriate. A confirmed report of hazing will be reported to the Police Department.

5. If the investigation results in a substantiated finding of hazing, the principal shall recommend appropriate disciplinary action, as circumstances warrant, in accordance with the Code of Conduct. Additionally, the accused may be subject to disciplinary action by the coach or sponsor, up to and including removal from the activity.

6. Every student who participates in a sport or extra/co-curricular activity must sign and return the Hazing Policy (JICFA) and accompanying procedure (JICFA-R) prior to the start of the first practice or first meeting of the extra/co-curricular activity.