Stop Hazing Act

Hazing policy

Trine University is committed to providing a safe environment where all students have the right to join student organizations to belong, build community and develop leadership skills, without being subjected to hazing as a condition of entry or participation. It is federal, state and university policy that hazing is strictly prohibited. Hazing can result in irrevocable harm to students, employees, their families and the university community. Any group or individual responsible for hazing may be subject to disciplinary action, criminal prosecution and/or civil prosecution.

For more information about Trine's Hazing Policy, please click below.

Hazing Prevention and Response Policy

Reporting

Any incident involving a crime, an emergency or an imminent threat to the health or safety of any person should be reported immediately to local law enforcement authorities by dialing 911 or calling Campus Safety at 260.316.1877.

Prompt reporting is crucial for addressing hazing and ensuring the safety of the community. Trine University encourages anyone who witnesses, experiences or suspects hazing to report it immediately. If you feel that you have experienced or witnessed hazing, you should report the incident immediately. The university will promptly and thoroughly investigate the compliant and, when applicable, take appropriate remedial action.

Reports can be made to any of the following university officials or offices:

  • Dean of Student and Community Relations, Cisco Ortiz | 260.665.4206 | University Center, Room 207, One University Ave., Angola, IN 46703
  • Director of Campus Safety, Stu Hamblen | 260.665.4543 | University Center, Campus Safety Office, One University Ave., Angola, IN 46703
  • Assistant Vice President for Human Resources / University Compliance / Title IX Coordinator, Jamie Norton | 260.665.4847 | Shambaugh Hall, Room 322, One University Ave., Angola, IN 46703

Employee duty to report: All university employees, including student-employees such as Resident Directors and Resident Assistants, have reporting responsibilities to ensure the university can take appropriate action, including reporting incidents of hazing. Employees may not report suspected hazing anonymously. Any employee who receives a disclosure of hazing or becomes aware of information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that hazing may have occurred involving anyone covered under this policy must report all known information immediately to one of the persons identified above.

Policy definitions and examples

The term "hazing" means 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 is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and causes or creates 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.

  • Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing harmful substances 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, 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 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.

It is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of all types of behavior that would constitute hazing, and the behaviors listed above are only examples of common types of hazing behavior. The university reserve the right to administer appropriate disciplinary action for all forms of hazing, and each situation will be dealt with on an individual basis.

The term of "student organization" means an organization at an institution of higher education (such as club, society, associate, 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 institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

Individuals or groups that engage in hazing may face serious disciplinary action, up to probation, suspension, expulsion and/or termination. Sanctions for hazing will be determined based on, but not limited to, the physical and emotional impact the incident has on our campus community. Groups, such as but not limited to organizations, athletic teams or other recognized or unrecognized student groups, that engage in hazing may face additional consequences, such as loss of involvement on or off campus, loss of athletic eligibility or suspension of a group.

Note: Other consequences outside of the university may include legal causes of action or other outcomes.

Even if an individual voluntarily allows themselves or agrees to be hazed, the act of hazing is still prohibited. Whether the individual against whom the hazing was directed consented or acquiesced to being hazed is never an excuse to perform or receive acts under university policy, or federal/state laws.

Training and support resources

During the academic year, Trine University will implement research-informed, campus-wide prevention programs aimed at educating all students, faculty and staff about the dangers of hazing, reporting and ethical leadership, providing bystander training and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.

Confidentiality: Trine University will treat all reports with discretion and will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct a thorough investigation and protect the safety of the community. Information will be shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know.

Amnesty for Reporters/Victims: Individuals who report hazing in good faith, whether as a victim or a witness, will not face disciplinary action from the university for their own minor policy violations (e.g., underage drinking) that may be revealed in connection with the hazing incident, provided the report was made promptly and in good faith. This amnesty applies solely to university policy violations and does not protect individuals from criminal prosecution.

Amnesty for Active Participation: Students who actively participate in hazing but subsequently come forward to report the incident and cooperate fully with the investigation may be granted consideration in the disciplinary process recognizing their role in helping to address the hazing behavior. This consideration will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the investigating body.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of Trine University's Hazing Policy. The information in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report will be updated at least twice each year and will be maintained for five years from the date of publication.

There were no findings of hazing violations between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026.

We will continue to raise awareness of our reporting options to our campus community and engage with training to prevent hazing.