Hazing Policy

In keeping with the functioning of Simmons College as an open, educational community and in compliance with the Massachusetts law making "hazing" a crime in this Commonwealth, Simmons College prohibits hazing in any form by any individual or group operating on or in conjunction with this institution. Infraction of this hazing policy shall constitute a violation of the Honor Code of Responsibility and suspected cases shall be heard by the Honor Board or the Residence Campus Judicial Board or the Social Activities Review Board, which act under its authority.

The text of the law (sections 17-18 of Chapter 269 Massachusetts General Laws, Crimes Against Public Peace) is included in the handbook so that each member of this community may understand the definition of "hazing" and the consequences of organizing, participating in, or observing such hazing behavior and activities. Persons observing such activity should report the violation immediately to the chairperson of the Honor Board.

"Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing as defined herein shall be punished by a fine of not more than $3,000 or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both by such fine and imprisonment."

"The term ‘hazing,' as used in this section and in sections 18 and 19, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or other substance, or any other brutal treatment of forced physical activity that is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation."

"Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action."

"Section 18. Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section 17 and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to herself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000."