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D. A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to be initiated into or affiliated with
a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.
E. The School District will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and, in its sole discretion, will discipline or
take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor or other employee of
the School District who is found to have violated these policies.
DEFINITIONS
A. “Hazing” means committing or coercing the student to commit an act that creates a substantial risk of harm either
to the student or to another person, in order for students to be initiated into or affiliated with a student
organization. The term hazing includes, but is not limited to:
1. Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking or placing a
harmful substance on the body.
2. Any type of activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area,
calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to a significant unreasonable risk of harm or that has a
significant adverse effect on the mental or physical health of the student.
3. Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product, or any other food,
liquid or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the
mental or physical health or safety of the student.
4. Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to extreme
mental stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of
the student or discourages the student from remaining in school.
5. Any activity that involves or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of state or federal
law or of School District policies or regulations.
B. “Student organizations” means a group, club or organization having students as its primary members or
organization does not have to be an official school organization to come within the terms of this definition.
REPORTING PROCEDURES
A. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or belief of
conduct, which may constitute hazing, shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school district
official designated by these policies.
B. The building principal is the person responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level. Any person
may report hazing directly to a School District human rights officer or to the superintendent.
C. Teachers, administrators, volunteers, contractors and other employees of the school District shall be particularly
alert to possible situations, circumstances or events that might include hazing. Any such person who receives a
report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall inform the
building principal immediately.
D. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future
employment, grades or work assignments.
SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTION
A. Upon receipt of a complaint or report of hazing, the School District shall undertake or authorize an investigation by
School District officials or a third party designated by the School District.
B. The School District may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the complainant, reporter, students, or
others pending completion of an investigation of hazing.
C. Upon completion of the investigation, the School District will take action as it deems appropriate, such action may
include but is not limited to, warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination or
discharge. School District action taken for violation of his policy will be consistent with the requirements of
applicable collective bargaining agreements, applicable statutory authority, including the Minnesota Pupil Fair
Dismissal Act, School District policies and regulations.
REPRISAL
The School District will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer,
contractor or other employee of the School District who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report
of alleged hazing, against any person who testifies, assist, or participates in an investigation, or against any persons
who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such hazing. Retaliation includes, but is not
limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.
For additional information, refer to Orono Schools’ Board Policy 520.