College of DuPage is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our campus community. The College strictly prohibits hazing in any form.
Hazing, which includes, but is not limited to, any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against a student or students regardless of the willingness of such other student or students 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 an institution or 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 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 against another person that includes a violation of Board or Institutional policy or a criminal violation of local, State, or Federal law
How to Report Incidents of Hazing
Incidents of hazing that involve imminent health or safety concerns should be reported to 911 or the College of DuPage Police Department by calling (630) 942-2000. All incidents of hazing should also be reported to the Dean of Students Office via the Student Complaint Process.
Process used to Investigate Allegations of Hazing
Allegations of hazing are investigated via the Student Complaint Process, which is described in detail in the Code of Student Conduct.
Prevention and Awareness Programs at College of DuPage
College of DuPage provides ongoing hazing awareness and prevention education for students, faculty, and staff. These programs are designed to reduce the occurrence of hazing by:
- raising awareness about what constitutes hazing and bystander intervention and reporting;
- teaching community members about institutional policies and procedures regarding hazing;
- emphasizing the serious risks and consequences associated with hazing;
- promoting a culture of accountability and respect.
Illinois Law Regarding Hazing
Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois. Hazing is typically classified as a Class A misdemeanor. If the hazing results in death or great bodily harm, however, then it is then considered a Class 4 felony. The law requires school officials who, while fulfilling his or her official responsibilities as a school official, personally observe a hazing incident that results in bodily harm to a person to report the incident to supervising educational authorities or, in the event of death or great bodily harm, to law enforcement. The law states as follows:
Sec. 12C-50. Hazing. (720 ILCS 5/12C-50)
(a) A person commits hazing when he or she knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution, if:
- the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and
- the act results in bodily harm to any person.
- It is not a defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing.
- Sentence: Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except that hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony.
Sec. 12C-50.1. Failure to report hazing. (720 ILCS 5/12C-50.1)
For purposes of this Section, “school official” includes any and all paid school administrators, teachers, counselors, support staff, and coaches and any and all volunteer coaches employed by a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State.
A school official commits failure to report hazing when:
- while fulfilling his or her official responsibilities as a school official, he or she personally observes an act which is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution;
- the act results in bodily harm to any person; and
- the school official knowingly fails to report the act to supervising educational authorities or, in the event of death or great bodily harm, to law enforcement.
- Sentence. Failure to report hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If the act which the person failed to report resulted in death or great bodily harm, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
- It is an affirmative defense to a charge of failure to report hazing under this Section that the person who personally observed the act had a reasonable apprehension that timely action to stop the act would result in the imminent infliction of death, great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement, or permanent disability to that person or another in retaliation for reporting.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to allow prosecution of a person who personally observes the act of hazing and assists with an investigation and any subsequent prosecution of the offender.
Dean of StudentsContact Information
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 1417
(630) 942-2485
Email: deanofstudents@cod.edu