Campus Police

Hazing Policy Statement for the Campus Hazing Transparency Report

Definition

Hazing will not be tolerated at Ferrum College and is prohibited in any form. College student

groups (e.g. registered student organizations, intramurals, club and varsity athletic teams,

recognized or unrecognized student groups) and individual students are prohibited from hazing

either on or off campus.

In accordance with Federal and Virgina Law, “hazing” is defined as any action or situation that

recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for

purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any student

organization operating under the sanction of a post-secondary institution. It includes, but is not

limited to:

• Pressure or coercion of student(s) into violating Federal, State or Tribal law;
• Physical brutality (whipping, beating, branding, exposure to elements, forced or coerced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance) or any other forced or excessive physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student(s);
• Also includes activities which would subject student(s) to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, excessive cleaning or errand-running, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment / humiliation, or any other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health / dignity of the student.
• For the purposes of this policy, hazing includes observation of hazing activities by individuals in a position to intervene, but who fail to intervene.

Process

Any person, whether faculty, staff or student, having knowledge of any activity or conduct which

may constitute hazing must contact either the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Campus

Police or any designated Campus Safety Authority. Student organization / team members and

officers / captains should immediately report any hazing incidents that occur within their

organization to the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Campus Police or any designated

Campus Safety Authority. These reports should include a detailed description of the events

leading to the allegation, including times, dates and locations, the names of individuals involved,

and a description of what transpired.

Upon receipt of the report, the Dean of Students Office and / or the Office of Campus Police will

investigate. An investigator will be assigned by the Dean of Students Office, and a representative

of the College will make contact with those bringing for the allegation, make contact with the

alleged perpetrators of hazing, including the advisor(s) and president if the claim is made against

an organization and conduct interviews with all parties. At their discretion, the investigator may

initiate a meeting of students, or a select group of students as part of the investigation and may

also require students to undergo a physical examination by Student Wellness Services staff,

particularly when there are allegations of physical abuse. The results of the physical examinations will be protected by

applicable health privacy laws, but a summary of any physical signs of hazing will be provided to the investigator by

the medical professional conducting the examination.

The investigator will provide a written investigative report to the Dean of Students Office. The

Dean of Students (or designee) will determine if charges are warranted. If charges are warranted,

the Dean of Students Office will charge the individual student(s), the involved student group(s),

and / or the President or other responsible officers of the involved student group(s) or any other

complicit bystanders in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Adjudication shall be conducted pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct. Students who make a

hazing complaint in good faith, or victims of hazing who participate in an investigation, will not

be charged with other College policy violations that are brought to light in the course of the

investigation that arose out of, or were committed as a direct result of, the hazing incident(s)

under investigation (i.e. students forced to consume alcohol as part of a hazing incident will not

be charged with violations of the College’s alcohol policy). The College reserves the right to

follow up with those students related to those issues as appropriate in a non-disciplinary setting.

Sanctions for violation of the Hazing Policy shall be administered by the Dean of Students.

Retaliation and / or adverse action against any persons alleging violation of the Hazing Policy is

prohibited.

Applicable Federal and State Laws

Applicable Federal and Virginia laws include:

Federal

Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), enacted on December 23, 2024

Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f))

State

Virginia Code Section § 23.1-822. Adam’s Law

Virginia Code Section § 18.2-56. Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school,

etc., officials; penalty.

The full hazing policy is available in the next tab labeled “Full Hazing Policy.”

hazing policy (cross-listed in Student Handbook p. 34, section 3.50).

Ferrum College prides itself on being an institution of higher education devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and service. Our motto, “Not Self, But Others” truly embodies the spirit of the College.

Hazing by individuals and/or organizations is illegal in the state of Virginia and strictly prohibited at Ferrum College. Both individuals and organizations must be responsible for ensuring that all activities exclude any form of hazing. While chapter or club members may not be present at an activity associated with their group, they are not excused from the responsibility of ensuring the activity does not include hazing. It is most important that all members realize they are responsible for activities sponsored by their group and may be held accountable for hazing violations if they occur.

HAZING IS AN ABUSE OF POWER AND RELATIONSHIPS, AND ITS PURPOSE DEMEANS OTHERS.

• HAZING – any action taken or situation created intentionally or unintentionally, by an individual, organization or athletic team, that produces mental or physical discomfort, endangerment to life, embarrassment, harassment, intimidation, or ridicule, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. Examples may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Examples may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Personal servitude
    • A “boot camp” mentality
    • Sleep deprivation
    • Altering physical appearance (i.e., head or eyebrow shaving, branding, etc.)
    • Forced or required consumption of liquids, solids, or combinations (i.e., alcohol, massive quantities of water, spicy
      or unusual foods, or non-food items)
    • Paddling in any form
    • Coerced physical activity that causes fatigue
    • Exposure to inclement weather
    • Confinement in any room or compartment
    • Acts of vandalism or acts that aid and abet vandalism or the destruction of property
    • Physical or psychological shock
    • Publicly wearing apparel and/or partaking in stunts not normally considered to be in good taste
    • Participating in degrading or humiliating games and activities
    • Misuse, theft, or destruction of property
  • Engaging in behavior that is in violation of Ferrum College regulations or local, state, and federal laws
    Any requirement that compels a member or new member initiate, to participate in any activity that is illegal, which is known by the compelling person or group to be contrary to a member’s or prospective member’s moral or religious beliefs, or which is contrary to any policies, rules, or regulations of Ferrum College.
  • Organizations/individuals found in violation of HAZING will be subject to the Ferrum College Student Accountability sanctions and may also face criminal charges and fines. Hazing by individuals and/or organizations is strictly prohibited at Ferrum College. Both individuals and organizations must be responsible for ensuring that all activities exclude any form of hazing. While chapter or club members may not be present at a prospective member or other activity associated with their group, they are not excused from the responsibility
    of ensuring the activity does not include hazing.
• 3.60 – Intimidation
  Intimidation is defined as making a person timid or fearful and/or to compel or deter by real or perceived threats.
• 3.61 – Bullying
  A person is bullied when they are exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other
  persons and they have difficulty defending himself or herself. This definition includes three important components: 1)
  Bullying is any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim, 2) involves
  a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim and, 3) is repeated over time or causes
  severe emotional trauma.
  • Ferrum College considers the following types of bullying, but understands this list is not all-inclusive:
    • Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and bad names
    • Bullying through humiliation, social exclusion or isolation
    • Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting
    • Bullying through lies and false rumors
    • Having money or other things taken or damaged
    • Being threatened or being forced to do things
    • Racial bullying
    • Sexual bullying
    • Cyber bullying including, but not limited to, cell phone, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or cell phone
• 3.70 – Stalking
  Stalking is defined as repeated conduct which places a person, or his or her family, in reasonable fear of death, sexual assault, or bodily injury. Stalking may also be looked at as to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment. Stalking is strictly forbidden by Ferrum College and will not be tolerated. Students found in violation of stalking will face educational sanctions which could include suspension or expulsion from Ferrum College. Stalking includes, but is not limited to, in person, electronic, or by other means.
• 3.80 – Verbal Abuse
  Verbal abuse is a form of abusive behavior involving the use of language. It is a form of profanity that can occur with or without the use of expletives. Oral communication is the most common form of verbal abuse; however, it includes abusive words in written form.
• 3.90 – Threat(s)
  Threat is defined as a communicated intent to inflict punishment, harm, injury, or loss to another person(s), group(s), or institution(s).

A safe and secure campus is a high priority at Ferrum College. Community awareness and cooperation, along with the guidance and support of a well-trained, professional Campus Police Department, contributes to a positive learning environment. Please read this report, which describes important information about Campus Safety and outlines your responsibilities as a member, or potential member, of our community.

Compilation and distribution of this report is mandated for all institutions participating in the financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

To view the most recent Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, click on the link below:

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (PDF)

Ferrum College Police Department

The Campus Safety office provides 24-hours-a-day security, law enforcement, and safety services to the campus community. Officers have two-way radio communications and conduct foot, ATV, and vehicle patrols of the campus grounds, academic and administrative buildings, and residence halls. Certain areas of the campus are “electronically patrolled” or monitored by use of internet protocol (IP) cameras. Officers are appointed by the Franklin County Circuit Court, and have arrest powers on the college campus and in the Blue Ridge Magisterial District of Franklin County, with authority to make arrests on Ferrum College property and beyond. The College works closely with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, and other state and state and federal agencies. Ferrum College Police Officers are fully sworn and receive law enforcement training at the Cardinal Criminal Justice Regional Academy and comply with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services training standards. Criminal offenses reported to Ferrum Officers are reported to the national Incident-Based Reporting System, in accordance with federal mandates.

The College maintains records of criminal activity in accordance with definitions used in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting system (UCR). Statistics (available at the Ferrum College Police Department Office) represent on campus, in or on non-campus building/property, on public property frequently used, dorms or residential facilities for students, and incidents where activities were recognized by Ferrum College. The Campus Police Department monitors and records data from its campus logs, Franklin County Sheriff’s office, Federal agencies, state agencies, other jurisdictions, and data from other campus and community security authorities (logs available at the Ferrum College Police Department Office).

Students do not have to make a formal police report/investigation to have an incident counted as a statistic. Victims/witnesses can report crime on a voluntary, confidential basis. Some crime victims choose not to report offenses to College law enforcement personnel but choose to report to other officials. However, all criminal activity should be reported in a timely manner so that strong measures, including dismissal from the college, are taken. This includes vandalism and all theft.

Pastoral or professional counselors, employed by the institution, may inform the person being counseled of the procedures on reporting crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the Annual Security Report.

Nonresident offenders entering the Commonwealth for employment, to carry on a vocation, for volunteer services, or as a student attending school who are required to register in their state of residence or who would be required to register under this section if a resident of the Commonwealth shall, within ten days of accepting employment or enrolling in school in the Commonwealth, be required to register and reregister pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section “student” means a person who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis, in any public or private educational institution, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher education.

Federal Sex Crimes Prevention Act: Sex Offender Registry

The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, enacted on October 28, 2000, went into effect October 28, 2002. The law requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a State to provide notice, as required under State law, of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, volunteers services, or is a student.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia convicted sex offenders must register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. The Registry was established pursuant to §19.2-390.1 of the Commonwealth’s Crimes Code. Every person convicted on or after July 1, 1997, including juveniles tried and convicted in the circuit courts pursuant to §16.1-269.1, whether sentenced as adults or juveniles, of an offense for which registration is required shall be required as a part of the sentence imposed upon conviction to register and reregister with the Commonwealth’s Department of State Police as provided in this section.

In addition, all persons convicted of violations under the laws of the United States or any other state substantially similar to an offense for which registration is required shall provide to the local agency all necessary information for inclusion in the State Police Registry within 10 days of establishing a residence within the Commonwealth. Any person required to register shall also be required to reregister within 10 days following any change of residence, whether within or without the Commonwealth.

Information concerning offenders registered with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry may be disclosed to any person requesting information on a specific individual in accordance with the law. Information regarding a specific person requested pursuant to the law shall be disseminated upon receipt of an official request form that may be submitted directly to the Commonwealth’s Department of State Police or to the State Police through a local law-enforcement agency. The Department of State Police shall make Registry information available, upon request, to criminal justice agencies including local law-enforcement agencies through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN). Registry information provided under this section shall be used for the purposes of the administration of criminal justice, for the screening of current or prospective employees or volunteers or otherwise for the protection of the public in general and children in particular. Use of the information for purposes not authorized by this section is prohibited and a willful violation of this section with the intent to harass or intimidate another shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The Commonwealth’s State Police maintains a system for making certain Registry information on violent sex offenders publicly available by means of the Internet. The information made available includes the offender’s name; all aliases that he has used or under which he may have been known; the date and locality of the conviction and a brief description of the offense; his date of birth, current address, and photograph; and such other information as the State Police may from time to time determine is necessary to preserve public safety. The system is secure and is not capable of being altered except by or through the State Police. The system is updated each business day with newly received registrations and re-registrations.