Campus Hazing Transparency Report

At Holy Cross, preventing hazing is a shared responsibility of every member of this community.

As a Jesuit, Catholic college, Holy Cross is committed to the dignity of every student, including how new members are welcomed into student organizations, teams, and clubs.

What counts as hazing

Hazing is a prohibited behavior in Holy Cross’s Community Standards, Process, and Procedures student handbook. The handbook defines hazing as any activity expected of someone joining, or maintaining status in, a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional or physical harm.

A student’s willingness to participate does not make an activity acceptable. Because students may go along with hazing in order to gain acceptance, maintain their place in a group, or avoid exclusion, a student’s willingness to participate does not determine whether conduct constitutes hazing.

Hazing is also a crime under Massachusetts law. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, §§ 17–19, organizing or participating in hazing is a crime punishable by a fine of up to $3,000, up to one year in a house of correction, or both, and consent is not a legal defense. This law applies to every Student Government Association (SGA)-recognized or departmentally-sponsored student organization, and to unrecognized groups operating in the campus community. Anyone who witnesses a hazing incident is required by law to report it to campus or local law enforcement.

Why we publish this report

The federal Stop Campus Hazing Act requires every college and university that receives federal financial aid to publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report and to update it at least twice a year.

The law requires institutions to disclose specific and limited information: the name of any student organization found responsible for a hazing violation, a general description of what occurred, whether alcohol or drugs were involved, the College's findings and any sanctions imposed, and key dates in the process. Federal privacy law (FERPA) prohibits institutions from including information that would identify individual students.

How we work to prevent hazing

Education for new students. Incoming first-year and transfer students complete annual hazing-prevention online training at the beginning of each academic year.
Education for student-athletes. All student-athletes are required to complete yearly athlete education modules per the NCAA, including a module on hazing prevention.
Student club and organization accountability. SGA-recognized student organizations receive additional anti-hazing training as a condition of recognition.
A confidential reporting process. Any community member can report a concern without going through the organization involved.
Ongoing review. The College evaluates its hazing prevention program regularly and adjusts training and oversight based on what it learns.