Ant-Hazing Policy including Prevention Programming

Mid Michigan College is committed in providing a safe learning culture that prohibits behavior in which hazing is used as a tool for inclusion in any athletic, employment, or student organization. Mid prohibits hazing of any kind. When hazing occurs, it permeates the college community and affects student organizations, student groups (whether recognized or not), employees of the College, and the college culture. No student organization, individual, or employee shall conduct or condone hazing activities. Any group or individual responsible for hazing may be subject to disciplinary action, criminal and/or civil prosecution.

To read Mid’s full Anti-Hazing Policy follow the link below:

Anti-Hazing Policy including Prevention Programming

What is Hazing

Under Michigan Law, hazing is a crime and the State has its own definition of hazing. This definition shares some commonalities with the federal definition. Since federal definitions take precedence over state, Mid has adopted the federal definition of hazing.

Hazing occurs when someone is forced to endure intentionally-created embarrassing, humiliating or dangerous activities as a condition of joining or being a part of a student club/group or team, regardless of the individuals’ consent and/or participation in the hazing activity.

Hazing Defined: Federal Definition of Hazing

Hazing indicates any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons), against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:

Are committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization
Cause or create a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury, including:
- Whipping, beating, striking, 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 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
- Any activity the induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

State of Michigan Definition of Hazing (MCL 750.411t)

Michigan’s hazing law, enacted in 2004, prohibits individuals associated with educational institutions (students, employees, or volunteers) from engaging in or participating in hazing. The term hazing means:

An intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual, and that the person knew or should have known endangers the physical health or safety of the individual; and
Is done for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Hazing includes any of the following that is done for such a purpose:
- Physical brutality, such as whipping, beathing, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
- Physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, or calisthenics, that subject the other person to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
- Activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.

Activity that induces, causes, or requires an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing

Reporting Options

Any student, employee, third-party or bystander who experiences, observes, or becomes aware of conduct that may constitute hazing, is required to report it as soon as possible to Campus Security, the Vice President of Student Services, or by using the online report form available on the college’s Mid Cares webpage and complete the Student Conduct Referral Form.

Campus Security

Harrison Campus: (989) 339-4204, Security Office Room 139
Mt. Pleasant Campus: (989) 339-7323, Center for Student Services, Room 146
Email: security@midmich.edu

Vice President of Student Services & Advancement

Harrison/Mt. Pleasant Campuses
Phone: (989) 386-6622 ext. 600
Email: mmiller@midmich.edu

Mid’s website, online reporting platform: Mid Cares webpage and complete the Student Conduct Referral Form

Access to this form is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Submitted reports may not be viewed outside of normal business hours, on weekends or during college holidays. If there is an immediate risk to health or safety, contact 911.

College Response

Reports of hazing involving a student or student organization will be reviewed and assessed through the Student Conduct Office. If the reported incident is in violation of the Anti-Hazing Policy, it will be investigated following the Student Code of Conduct, using the resolution procedures outlined in that policy.

Reports of hazing involving an employee will be referred to the Office of College Compliance and Ethics. Compliance and Ethics will investigate the report using the grievance procedures outlined in the Employee Nondiscriminatory Harassment Policy.

Hazing FAQ’s

What are some examples of hazing?

Hazing can include physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual coercion, forced consumption, and criminal activities. Here are some examples of each:

Physical abuse may include paddling, whipping, or striking; extreme sleep deprivation; confinements in small spaces; extreme calisthenics, or similar activities.
Psychological abuse may include acts of public humiliation and beratement; implied threats; verbal intimidation.
Sexual coercion may include pressuring individuals to perform sexual acts, voyeurism – watching sexual acts, taking photos, etc.
Forced consumption of alcohol, water, insects, food and the like.
Criminal Activities such as theft, malicious destruction of property, underage drinking, or other activities that are criminal in nature.

What are some signs of hazing?

Acts of hazing are not always obvious, and individuals may not even realize they are being hazed. According to stophazing.org some common signs of hazing include, but are not limited to:

Chronic fatigue
Isolation from friends and family
Only associating with certain people
Change in normal behavior such as skipping class, not eating meals, not bathing/showering
Concern expressed by others

What are some alternatives to hazing?

Engaging in activities that promote positive team-building, group cohesiveness, and leadership skills that create a strong bond among members of an organization. Some examples include: community service projects, teambuilding exercises, leadership workshops, and organization retreats.

How can I safely fight against hazing?

According to the Clery Center and stop hazing website, there are five steps for safe and effective bystander intervention strategies which include:

Notice hazing: recognize the warning signs and activities that perpetuate hazing; do not overlook/turn a blind eye to acts of hazing
Recognize the harm: hazing can lead to death, physical and psychological harm and can have a lasting negative effect on individuals that experience and witness hazing
Accept responsibility: each member of the campus community plays a necessary role in the prevention of hazing and should report hazing incidents immediately
Develop skills: recognize a potential harm; shift the focus; safely confronting individuals that are planning to or are engaging in hazing activities; and shift attitudes on hazing and promote safe, health alternatives
Take action: intervene early on, directly or indirectly, to prevent hazing from happening and cultivate healthy group spaces.

What are some internal and external resources regarding hazing awareness and prevention?

Mid students and employees are eligible to engage in online training modules and may request access by contacting Human Resources via email to lfassett1@midmich.edu or mfarrell@midmich.edu . Student clubs/groups and athletic teams may also request a face-to-face presentation from the Office of College Compliance and Ethics, in conjunction with Security Operations and Systems by emailing sos@midmich.edu

External resources with helpful information include:

Public Disclosures

Per the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the College is required to include an anti-hazing policy, prevention programming information, and reported acts of hazing within our Annual Security Report. It also requires the development of a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. This Report summarizes any hazing violation findings and is available below.

Coming Soon:

2025 Annual Security Report (available no later than October 1, 2025)

Hazing Transparency Report (available no later than December 23, 2025)

Mid has no tolerance for hazing activities. What may seem fun or non-threatening for some may be physically or emotionally damaging to others. Educate yourself and see hazing for what it really is.