Definitions
Hazing is defined as recklessly or intentionally endangering the health or safety of a student or students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition either explicit or implicit for membership in a club, organization, association, team, fraternity, sorority, or student body, regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.
Randolph-Macon College further defines as hazing, any action taken or situation created, intentionally or unintentionally, which produces mental, emotional or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for membership in club, organization, association, team, fraternity, sorority, or student body, regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.
Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excess fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside the confines of College property; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and indecent; involuntary nudity; engaging in public stunts; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, College policy, or federal, state and local laws. Quests in academic classes or student programs may be approved by the Provost or Dean of Students, respectively. The power dynamic between the individuals in a specific case may be sufficient to constitute hazing even in the absence of intent by the party requesting the action or activity concerned. Consent and/or willingness to participate by participants in any activity is not considered a defense for violating the hazing policy.
Medical Amnesty Policy
The health and safety of all students is Randolph-Macon College’s primary concern including instances of intoxication, overdose, and/or alcohol poisoning. The potential for student conduct sanctions can deter students from seeking medical attention for themselves or others in cases of intoxication, overdose, and/or alcohol poisoning. In order to encourage students to seek help for their peers and themselves, as well as, to remove barriers that prevent students from seeking medical attention, the College has instituted this medical amnesty policy. The medical amnesty policy applies to all students who seek medical help for themselves and their peers for intoxication, overdose, and/or alcohol poisoning particularly in cases where students are victims of hazing, violence, assault, or other crimes.
The Policy Information
A student who actively seeks medical attention for another student or for their own person due to intoxication or overdose may do so without fear of formal College sanction for violation of the College polices related to illegal use or possession of alcohol or other drugs. Students granted medical amnesty are required to complete an evaluation and any other recommended treatment at the Center for Counseling Services within a time frame determined by the Office of the Dean of Students. The Office of the Dean of Students may require the student to participate in the drafting of and adherence to a Behavioral Contract Agreement following the use of the Medical Amnesty Policy. Failure to complete the evaluation, other recommended treatment, or violation of the Behavioral Contract Agreement will result in student conduct action. The College reserves the right to take administrative student conduct action in any case that involves the unlawful provision of illegal controlled substances or drugs from one person to another.
Adam’s Law for Hazing Prevention and Alcohol Overdose Education
Pursuant to the Code of Virginia and “Adam’s Law” as passed in the 2022 Session of the General Assembly of Virginia, the College provides hazing prevention and alcohol overdose education to potential new members, new members, current members, and advisors of student organizations with new members. Potential new members are expressly prohibited from joining a student organization with new members without satisfactory completion of hazing prevention and alcohol overdose education.
Staff in the Student Engagement Center is available to the College community for hazing prevention and alcohol education. This education is available, on request, for any student, club/organization, team, advisor, staff, or faculty member who wishes to learn more about hazing prevention and alcohol safety.
Adam’s Law and Stop Campus Hazing Act Campus Transparency Reporting
In accordance with Adam’s Law and the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the College maintains and publicly reports actual findings of violations of the College’s Student Conduct Code or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing that are reported to campus authorities or local law enforcement. Findings of hazing violations after July 1, 2022 may be found on the Randolph-Macon College Dean of Students website for a period of 10 years.
Resources and Reporting Hazing
The health and safety of all Randolph-Macon College students is paramount. If you become aware of activities involving an RMC student(s) which may be unsafe or unlawful, including potential hazing, please immediately notify the College:
- Campus Safety (24/7; please call in emergency situations): 804-752-4710
- Student Engagement Center: 804-752-3205
- Dean of Students Office: 804-752-7266
If someone you know is in imminent danger and/or in a potential medical emergency, please call 911 immediately and then call Campus Safety at 804-752-4710.
Non-urgent reports may also be made via an Incident Report Form, which will be reviewed by the Dean of Students Office.
Almost all faculty and staff at Randolph-Macon College are mandatory reporters of violation of College policy, including hazing. The following offices are available to students and are non-mandatory reporters at the College. If students would like to discuss matters confidentially, please contact any of the following offices:
- Student Health Center: 804-752-3041
- Counseling Services: 804-752-7270
- Chaplain’s Office: 804-752-7374
Rights Of Those Who Report
The medical amnesty policy of Randolph-Macon College applies to all students who seek medical help for themselves and their peers for intoxication, overdose, and/or alcohol poisoning, including as part of hazing activities.
Retaliation, as defined in the RMC Student Conduct Code, is strictly prohibited. Any act of retaliation including, but not limited to, harassment, abuse, threat, or intimidation toward the victim, the accused, or any witness who makes a report of an alleged violation of the Student Conduct Code or any other College Policy is prohibited.
Hazing Investigation Process
As a potential violation of the RMC Student Conduct Code, any alleged hazing incidents are reviewed and investigated in accordance with the most recent edition of the Student Conduct Code. Please see the RMC Student Conduct Code for an outline of the Student Conduct process.
