Administrative Policies

Hazing Compliance and Prevention Policy

 

1. Purpose

KCTCS is committed to a learning environment free from acts of violence and coercion including hazing and harassment. This policy defines hazing and identifies the mechanisms for reporting and responding to incidents of hazing as well as ensures education and prevention on hazing.

2. Reason for Policy

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require colleges and universities to disclose hazing incidents in their annual security reports. It mandates institutions to define hazing, compile statistics on reported cases, and establish transparent policies for reporting and prevention.
 
Schools must create a Campus Hazing Transparency Report, listing organizations found responsible for hazing and detailing violations, sanctions, and key investigation dates. The Act also requires institutions to implement research-based prevention programs and ensure compliance with local, state, and tribal laws, enhancing student safety and accountability. This policy is also in compliance with KRS 508.180-.186.

3. Entities Affected

This policy applies to all KCTCS students, faculty, and staff.

4. Definitions

1. Annual Security Report (“ASR”) – a public disclosure document that contains required information related to campus safety and security including crime statistics, College policies and procedures, resources and prevention programs.
   
   
2. Campus Hazing Transparency Report (“CHTR”) - a report required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act (“SCHA”) that is published on each KCTCS Colleges’ website and is updated at least twice per calendar year and includes specific information outlined in the SCHA.
   
   
3. Hazing – Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons (including minors) 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
      
      
   2. Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education of the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury.
      • Examples of Hazing include, but are not limited to:
        • Whipping, beating, striking, paddling, branding, 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 consume food, liquid, alcohol, tobacco product, drugs, or other substances;
        • 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, including KRS §508.180; and
        • 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.
          
          
4. Prevention Program – educational offerings, activities, or information related to preventing hazing that are research-informed and intended to stop hazing before it occurs. Prevention programs will include information on the KCTCS Hazing Compliance and Prevention Policy and applicable laws, how to report incidents of hazing, and investigation mechanisms.
   
   
5. Retaliation - taking an adverse or negative action, or harassing or imposing any type of punishment or consequence against or upon a person in a manner that substantially affects his/her employment or education based on the fact that he/she made a good faith report of a violation of law or policy, participated in good faith in an investigation of any complaint, matter, or issue, or in good faith sought relief from any perceived adverse condition.
   
   
6. Student Organization – an organization at a KCTCS College that meets the criteria listed in Appendix A of the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct. At least two or more of the members must be currently enrolled students at the KCTCS College.

5. Policy Statement

1. Response to Campus Hazing Reports
   Reports of campus hazing can be made to the Chief Student Affairs Officer or designee on each KCTCS campus or via EthicsPoint. Reports can be made to EthicsPoint anonymously and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
   
   Once KCTCS has received a report of alleged hazing, the KCTCS Code of Conduct will govern the investigation and review of the allegation(s). The Chief Student Affairs Officer or designee will provide support and resources to victims and inform them of the right to report to law enforcement.  The Chief Student Affairs Officer will also inform the victim and others participating in the process of the prohibition against retaliation.
   
   
2. Campus Hazing Transparency Report
   Each KCTCS College is required to compile and publish the Campus Hazing Transparency Report twice a year. The CHTR must summarize the findings concerning any student organizations that are recognized by the College and are found to be in violation of this policy. This includes findings that occurred outside of the geography outlined in the Annual Security Report. The CHTR must be published on each College’s website and include a statement notifying the public of its availability.
   
   The summary of each finding of responsibility must include; the name of the student organization, a general description of the violation, including whether the violation involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs, the findings and the sanctions placed on the student organization by the institution.
   
   The summary must also include the dates on which:
   1. The alleged incident was to have occurred,
   2. The investigation was initiated, 
   3. The investigation ended with a finding that a hazing violation occurred, and
   4. The institution provided notice to the student organization that the incident resulted in a hazing violation.
   
   The CHTR must not include any personally identifiable information that is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”). The College must maintain the CHTR for a period of five (5) calendar years from the date of publication.
   
   
3. Annual Security Report
   Each KCTCS College, beginning with the 2026 Annual Security Report, will include reports of hazing that were reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies and are reported to have occurred in applicable Clery geography at the respective College. The College will also include this policy in the ASR and a description of the campus-wide prevention programs offered at the respective College.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Each KCTCS College will designate an employee who is responsible for the collection and reporting of the required statistics for their individual Annual Security Reports. This employee or designee is responsible for creating and maintaining their Campus Hazing Transparency Report per this policy and the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Prior to the publication of either the ASR or the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, each KCTCS College will submit the information to the System Director of Safety and Emergency for review in consultation with the Office of General Counsel. If a College has no update to their CHTR for a reporting period due to a lack of findings, the College must notify the System Director of Safety and Emergency. The Chief Student Affairs Officer or designee at each KCTCS College will be responsible for receiving and processing reports of hazing. The System Director of Safety and Emergency is responsible for the training and education mandated by this policy and the SCHA.

7. Compliance and Training Requirements

KCTCS will provide students, faculty and staff with training and education on hazing prevention and awareness, intervention, reporting and investigations, and the hazing policy on an annual basis.

8. Exceptions

A KCTCS College is only required to develop and publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report once a finding of a hazing violation has been made. Each College does not have to update the CHTR for any period in which the College does not have a finding of a hazing violation.

Allegations of hazing that contain sexual harassment or sexual conduct that would constitute a violation of Title IX, shall be investigated utilizing 3.3.1A-P Title IX Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Procedure.

9. Approvals

Approved by KCTCS President, Dr. Ryan Quarles on June 9th 2025.

10. Related Documents

3.3.1A-P Title IX Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Procedure

KCTCS Student Code of Conduct

11. Review and Revision History

Initial Approval of the Policy: June 9th, 2025

Next Scheduled Revision, on or before June 9th, 2028