POLICY NO: 1-14
VCCS POLICY NO: N/A
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/18/2025
REVISED DATE: 12/18/2025

  1. Purpose:

    The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Virginia Community College System (VCCS) students enrolled at Reynolds Community College (hereinafter “the College”) are not subjected to hazing in any form. Hazing is inconsistent with the College's commitment to fostering an environment of learning, respect and personal dignity. In addition to being prohibited in accordance with this policy, hazing is also a crime in the Commonwealth of Virginia as set forth in Code of Virginia § 18.2-56.

    This policy applies to all individuals and groups associated with the College, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, administrators, coaches, advisors, athletic teams, clubs, bands, fraternities, sororities and other student organizations, consistent with the definitions herein.

  2. Definitions:

    Hazing: Consistent with the Code of Virginia § 18.2-56 and federal law under the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing or reckless act, committed by a person or persons against another person or persons, regardless of the willingness of such person or persons to participate that:

    1. Occurs on or off College property;

    2. Is committed in connection with initiation into, affiliation with or continued maintenance of membership in any Student Organization, or Student Organization with New Members; and

    3. That causes or creates a risk of physical bodily injury or psychological injury, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the College or organization. Examples of physical or psychological injury include, but are not limited to, mental or physical harassment, bodily harm, humiliation, fatigue, degradation, ridicule, shock or abuse.

    Advisor: An individual employed by the College, whether directly or by contract, who acts in an official capacity as a sponsor to, advisor to, coach of or supervisor of a student organization.

    Student: Individuals enrolled in at least one course during the current semester for credit or non-credit (workforce) or enrolled for at least one course in the upcoming semester at the college.

    Student Organization: As defined in the SCHA, an organization at the college (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the college, whether or not the organization is officially established or recognized by the institution.

    Student Organization with New Members: As defined in the Code of Virginia § 23.1-819, this is a student organization officially recognized by an institution of higher education structured in such a way that upon invitation for membership, individuals do not automatically become members of such organization and have a period of time between invitation for membership and being initiated into membership. “Student Organization with New Members" does not include any varsity intercollegiate or club athletic team.

  3. Policy:

    1. Prohibited Activities

      Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

      1. Paddling, whipping, beating, striking or similar physical abuse;

      2. Kidnapping;

      3. All forms of physical activity which are used to harass, punish, or harm an individual, including pushups, calisthenics, running or similar exercises

      4. Forced excursions or road trips;

      5. Confinement;

      6. Spraying, painting or pelting with any substance;

      7. Burying in any substance;

      8. Nudity with the intent to cause embarrassment;

      9. Acting as a personal servant;

      10. Sensory deprivation or exposure to uncomfortable elements, including putting irritating substances on body parts;

      11. Verbal abuse;

      12. Wearing of apparel that is conspicuous and/or indecent;

      13. Coerced consumption of alcohol or any other substance, legal or illegal;

      14. Being forced or coerced to engage in any kind of sexual activity, including forced nudity;

      15. Depriving students of sufficient sleep (6 consecutive hours per day is normally considered to be a minimum);

      16. Coerced burning, branding, or tattooing any part of the body;

      17. Psychological hazing, defined as any act which is likely to:
        1. Compromise an individual's dignity;
        2. Cause an individual embarrassment or shame;
        3. Cause an individual to be the object of malicious amusement or ridicule; or
        4. Cause an individual emotional distress;

      18. Interrogating an individual in an intimidating or threatening manner;

      19. Misleading prospective members in an effort to convince them that they will not become members unless they engage in hazing activities;

      20. Carrying any items (shields, paddles, bricks, hammers, etc.) that serve no constructive purpose or that are designed to punish or embarrass the carrier;

      21. Blindfolding and parading individuals in public areas for amusement or embarrassment, blindfolding and transporting in a motor vehicle, or privately conducting blindfolding activities, that serve no constructive purpose;

      22. Binding or restricting an individual in a way that would prohibit them from moving on their own;

      23. Requiring or suggesting that an individual obtain or possess items or complete tasks in an unlawful manner (e.g., stealing signs for a scavenger hunt); 

      24. Prohibiting an individual from social contact or from associating with other individuals or groups;

      25. Other actions that are likely to negatively impact academic performance or mental health; and

      26. Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding or otherwise participating actively or passively in the above acts.

    2. Jurisdiction

      This policy applies to hazing activities occurring on both college-owned and non-college-owned properties. An act of hazing by an individual or student organization will be viewed by the college as a violation of the college's hazing policy, regardless of where the act of hazing took place.

    3. Consent

      An individual may not consent to being hazed. A person’s willingness to participate in the hazing activity does not excuse or justify hazing. Consent cannot be used as a defense for violating the college’s hazing policy.

  4. Procedures:

    Procedure for Reynolds Policy 1-14, Hazing

  5. Other Information:

    N/A