Purpose
StFX is committed to fostering a respectful and supportive environment where all members of the community can thrive. Upholding the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of other StFX community members is a core value of our community.
Hazing is a complex socio-ecological issue involving more than just longstanding traditions. While it can be passed down through generations, it also evolves with new forms of peer pressure, social media influence, and shifting group needs and dynamics. Hazing may include harmful behaviours linked to alcohol-related harms, sexual violence, harassment and discrimination, and reinforcing the unhealthy perpetuation of group hierarchies and exclusion.
Addressing Hazing requires a cultural shift supported by strong leadership, education, resources for positive team building, trauma-informed support for those affected, clear policies and processes, and accessible reporting options.
This Policy aims to:
- To explicitly prohibit all forms of Hazing at StFX.
- To clearly define Hazing related behaviours.
- To describe the rights and responsibilities of community members related to inclusive and welcoming community development.
- To describe the expectations for reporting Hazing and provide trauma-informed, accessible disclosure options.
- To describe the process for investigating Hazing Reports and potential outcomes if found in violation.
- To provide resources for groups and teams to have healthy, positive team building practices.
Scope
This Policy applies to all StFX registered students. Where concerns arise involving a person who is not a current student but whose conduct may affect the safety, wellbeing, or functioning of the StFX community, StFX may respond within its authority, including by making referrals to an appropriate university office, policy, procedure, council, regulatory body, or external authority, and by taking other protective or administrative measures as appropriate.
Incidents of Hazing involving StFX employees will be addressed through the Harassment and Discrimination Policy, Standards of Conduct Policy or other policies and Collective Agreement processes as appropriate. Incidents involving employees should be reported to the Director, People and Culture.
The Hazing Policy applies to:
- incident(s) that take place on or off campus
- official university activities or informal settings • planned or spontaneous group activities
- in person or virtual incident(s) (including social media platforms)
Hazing may occur in connection with Recognized Student Groups in residences, varsity teams, clubs and societies, or local sports leagues or clubs not directly affiliated with StFX but involving StFX students and community members.
Consent to Hazing does not excuse those organizing, facilitating, or participating in any Hazing behaviour.
Definitions
| Word/Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Consent | Because Hazing often involves real or perceived pressure connected to belonging, status, or membership within a group, a person cannot consent to participation in Hazing activities. |
| Disclosure | Refers to information shared about an incident of Hazing. Anyone who has witnessed Hazing or is aware of Hazing activities is encouraged to disclose the information to Student Life. A Disclosure may be made for the purpose of accessing supports and/or information about reporting options. A Disclosure is different from a Report and does not automatically initiate a review or investigation by StFX |
| Hazing | Refers to any activitythat is explicitly or implicitly made an expection or condition of initiation into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a Student Group, Team, or Organization, and that causes or reasonably poses a risk of physical or emotional harm, humiliation, degradation, abuse, or distress. This includes actions taken or situations created that threaten, endanger, or cause a reasonable person to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. |
| Student Group, Team, or Organization | For the purposes of this Policy, includes any athletic team, residence community, association, order, society, cooperative, club, student organization, intramural team or league, program-based or informal society, or similar group composed primarily of StFX students, whether or not formally affiliated with the University. For greater clarity, it includes a Recognized Student Group. |
| Recognized Student Group | A formalized club or society ratified through the Students’ Union Council, or a student group and recognized by the University. |
| Report | Refers to information shared with the University for the purpose of initiating a review or investigation that may result in disciplinary, remedial, or protective measures. |
| Retaliation | Means any action taken by someone accused of or found responsible for Hazing, directly or indirectly, that adversely affects the status or wellbeing of a complainant, reporting party, witness, or harmed person. |
| StFX Community Code of Conduct | The StFX policy that defines student rights and responsibilities and the process by which reported incidents will be investigated. |
Terms such as reporting party, witness, harmed party and related procedural terms are governed by the applicable StFX policy once a matter is routed under this Policy to the applicable StFX policy.
Policy
1.1 StFX recognizes Hazing can take many forms, and that group members and their leaders may not always recognize certain behaviours as Hazing.
1.2 StFX acknowledges the psychological, physical, and community and organizational impacts caused by Hazing behaviour. Hazing can also involve psychological processes that foster tolerance of harmful behaviour and perpetuate Hazing when passed on year over year.
1.3 StFX acknowledges Hazing is perpetuated by power imbalances that exist in social groups. These imbalances can manifest through group seniority, social status, gender, race, or membership in exclusive groups, and are reinforced when individuals in positions of power use their influence to pressure, intimidate, or control others, often presented as activities rooted in tradition, loyalty, or group bonding.
1.4 Hazing activities often intersect with sexual violence, alcohol and substance abuse, harassment, physical and psychological violence, gender-based violence, and discrimination based on prohibited grounds.
1.5 StFX is committed to promoting a campus that values citizenship, ethical leadership, critical thinking and life-long learning. The groups and communities formed at StFX create experiential learning opportunities for students’ individual development and leadership.
1.6 StFX requires all Student Groups, Teams or Organizations to use positive community building practices when establishing or strengthening groups of students affiliated by a common membership. Activities intended to welcome new members and build a Student Group, Team or Organization must adhere to the StFX Positive Community Building Guidelines.
1.7 Recognized Student Groups are required to submit group social event plans to the Event Review Committee for approval. Recognized Student Groups who hold unsanctioned events not approved by the Event Review Committee are in violation of the Community Code of Conduct. Note that Athletics and Recreation approved regular league play, practices and training, meetings, and team registration for varsity and club sports are not required to be approved through ERC. All other varsity and club activities are required to submit social event plans to the ERC.
1.8 StFX recognizes Hazing is underreported for a variety of reasons, including lack of recognition, shame, stigmatization, fear of retaliation, perceived pressure to maintain group hierarchy or social status, or fear of being dismissed or not believed.
1.9 StFX is committed to providing trauma-informed support to those who have made a Disclosure or Report under this Policy.
1.10 StFX does not tolerate retaliation against any person involved in a Disclosure, Report, or investigation process under this Policy.
1.11 StFX recognizes the importance of education concerning Hazing and is committed to improving understanding of the definition of Hazing, the long-term harms to individuals, groups, and future students. Education and awareness training must include resources, to facilitate positive community building, and to reduce barriers to disclosure and reporting of Hazing activities.
Disclosure
2.1 A Disclosure refers to information shared about an incident where Hazing has occurred, is occurring, or is planned to occur. A Disclosure may be made by a person who experienced Hazing for the purpose of seeking support and information about reporting options. Anyone who has witnessed Hazing or is aware of Hazing activities involving students is encouraged to disclose the information to Student Life.
2.2 StFX may initiate an investigation where there are multiple Disclosures of Hazing perpetrated by the same individuals or group. In such cases, those who have disclosed an incident will be notified of the investigation and given the option to participate in the process.
2.3 Hazing is under-recognized and under-reported. Fear of exclusion, reprisal, retaliation, ostracization, and exclusion creates a barrier to reporting and/or seeking supports for those who have experienced Hazing. The University will make reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality in relation to Disclosures, subject to the need to address safety risks, comply with legal obligations, or administer university processes, including in the following circumstances:
i. Where there is a serious risk of harm.
ii. There is objective evidence of Hazing in the public realm (e.g. video recorded acts.) or otherwise recorded or documented and available to StFX.
iii. There is a risk to the safety of the university and/or broader community.
iv. Where records are subpoenaed.
2.4 A record of a Disclosure will be maintained confidentially by the Student Life office, without taking further steps towards investigation or disciplinary action, except in rare circumstances as noted in 2.3 above. This information will be used to offer resources and supports to the discloser and to inform ongoing training development and initiatives to build Hazing literacy at StFX.
2.5 Students who are impacted by Hazing may seek supports and request academic or other accommodations upon Disclosure to Student Life.
2.6 When the behaviour described in a Disclosure of Hazing meets the definition of Sexual Violence in the StFX Sexual Violence Response Policy, a copy of the Disclosure will be provided to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate.
2.7 When the behaviour described in a Disclosure of Hazing meets the definition of Harassment or Discrimination in the StFX Discrimination and Harassment Policy, a copy of the Disclosure will be provided to the Director, Human Rights and Equity.
Report and Investigation
3.1 StFX is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. All Members of the StFX Community are encouraged to disclose any known or suspected incidents of Hazing. Certain staff members may have reporting responsibilities arising from their role, such as Safety and Security members and Residence Life staff.
3.2 Any Member of the StFX Community may make a Report of Hazing plans or activities. Where a person or witness has concerns about an incident of Hazing, they may report Hazing plans or activity by contacting the Student Life Office, Residence Life staff, or Safety and Security to be reviewed and investigated.
3.3 StFX may be unable to investigate anonymous or third-party Reports due to lack of information or out of respect for the individual impacted by Hazing and who has decided not to come forward.
3.4 The University may implement interim or protective measures where reasonably necessary to support safety, wellbeing, or the integrity of a university process.
3.5 Investigations of reported Hazing will follow the process outlined in the appropriate policy for the incident.
i. Reports alleging a student engaging in Hazing activities will be reviewed by the Student Life office and will generally be addressed through the processes in the Community Code of Conduct.
ii. When the behaviour described in a Disclosure of Hazing may meet the definition of Sexual Violence under the StFX Sexual Violence Response Policy, a copy of the Disclosure will be provided to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate in accordance with that Policy and University privacy obligations.
iii. When the behaviour described in a Disclosure of Hazing may meet the definition of Harassment or Discrimination under the StFX Harassment and Discrimination Policy, a copy of the Disclosure will be provided to the Director, Human Rights and Equity in accordance with that Policy and University privacy obligations.
iv. In instances where behaviours fall under multiple student policies, the Manager, Restorative Practices and Student Conduct will determine the appropriate process, in consultation with the Director, Student Life and/or Director, Human Rights and Equity as appropriate.
