Lansing Community College
Procedure Details

Procedure Title: Hazing-Student Conduct Process
Procedure #: CO.002
Revision #: 000

Unit Responsible: Office of Student Compliance
Individual Responsible: Director of Student Compliance or designee

Effective Date: 06/16/2025
Initial Approval Date: 09/12/2025
Last Review/Update Date: 09/12/2025
Next Review Date: 09/01/2028

*Does this procedure support a Board Policy? Yes
If yes, identify: 4.025-Anti-Hazing Policy

Board policies can be found at: LCC Board of Trustees Policy Page

*Does this procedure support HLC criteria and/or Assumed Practices? Yes
If yes, identify: 2A, A4

HLC Criteria can be found at: HLC Accreditation Criteria
HLC Assumed Practices can be found at: HLC Assumed Practices

*Does this procedure support a State or Federal Regulation? Yes
If yes, identify: H.R.5646 - Stop Campus Hazing Act 118th Congress (2023-2024) and Garret’s Law (MCL750.411t)

*Note: Standard Operating Procedures should be in furtherance of some LCC policy and/or accreditation criteria, even if the relationship is not direct. Assistance in determining this information can be obtained from the Academic Procedure Advisory Committee (APAC) and/or the Accreditation Liaison Officer.

Hazing-Student Conduct Process, BP 4.025

1. Purpose

To ensure the reporting and investigation of accusations of hazing and thereby promote a safe environment where students may participate in activities and organizations without compromising their health, safety, or welfare. 


2. Scope

Applies to Lansing Community College (LCC) employees and students. 


3. Prerequisites

Aligns with the Student Code of Conduct and General Rules and Guidelines which apply to students from the time of admission to the College and continue as long as the student remains enrolled at the College. The code of conduct and guidelines are also applicable to a student's conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending. 

The Office of Student Compliance will follow all established procedures within the Student Code of Conduct for alleged student hazing violations.

 

4. Responsibilities

  • Director of Student Compliance or designee – Responsible for review, investigation, and adjudication of any reports of alleged hazing involving students. 
  • LCC Police Department – Responsible for review and investigation of any reports of alleged hazing that may involve a criminal act.
  • Provost (or designee) – Responsible for the sole authority to determine whether or not an appeal warrants further review.
  • Reporting responsibilities: 
    • The LCC Deputy Chief of Police, LCC Police Sergeant, Director of Student Life, Athletic Director, Human Resources (HR) Director of Labor and Employee Relations, and all LCC staff designated as Campus Security Authorities under the Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act (Clery Act) are responsible for reporting any student related hazing allegations to the Office of Student Compliance.


5. Procedure

Reporting:

Any student, employee, volunteer, guest, contractor, visitor, or other members of the LCC Community who is made aware of or is witness to any suspected hazing violation by a student is encouraged to immediately report the alleged incident.

Any student who experiences hazing is encouraged to immediately report the alleged incident.

To report an alleged hazing incident:

For Emergencies, call 911
LCC Police Department (non-emergency) 
517-483-1800

To report a student, complete the Student Conduct Report Form or notify one of the following: 

Patti Ayers
Director of Student Life
Student Leadership Academy
Student Ombuds
Location: 422 N Washington Square
Gannon Building, 2nd Floor Center for Student Support
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-483-1275
Email: ayersp@star.lcc.edu

Greg Lattig
Athletic Director 
Location: 411 N. Grand Avenue
Gannon Building, 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-483-1622
Email: lattigg@star.lcc.edu

Process:

  1. If upon initial receipt of a report or during an investigation of alleged student hazing violations, it is determined an employee is involved in alleged hazing, the matter will be referred to Human Resources, Director of Labor and Employee Relations.
  2. The Director of Student Compliance (or designee) will conduct a preliminary review and investigation of the report received to determine if the allegations have merit. If the allegations are determined to:
    1. Not have merit – The reporting party will be notified stating the reasons, and the matter will be closed. Such disposition shall be final and there shall be no subsequent proceedings unless the College becomes aware of additional material information that may lead to a different conclusion.
    2. Have merit – The responding student will be notified in writing of the allegations and alleged violation(s). The notification will direct the student to schedule an appointment with the Director of Student Compliance (or designee) to review the facts concerning the alleged violation(s) in order to determine if the process will move forward.
  3. During the meeting, the responding student meets with the Director of Student Compliance (or designee). 
  4. After reviewing the facts with the responding student and completing any additional witness meetings, investigation, or follow-up as needed, a decision will be made as to whether to move forward with a violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. The standard used in the determination is the preponderance of the evidence defined as “more likely than not" whether the responding student violated the Student Code of Conduct and/or Student General Rules and Guidelines. Based on the facts and circumstances presented, the charges may be amended, changed, or dismissed, and the student will be made aware of those changes as soon as possible.
  5. In the event that the responding student fails to contact the Office of Student Compliance within five (5) business days of the written notification, a hold may be placed on the student's record which may result in the student's enrollment being delayed. The Director of Student Compliance (or designee) will then review the facts available without the student and make a decision whether to move forward with charges of the Student Code of Conduct.
  6. If a decision is made to move forward with charges, the responding student will be notified in writing of the alleged violation(s), and may elect to do one of the following:
    1. The responding student may admit the alleged violation(s) and request, in writing, that the Director of Student Compliance (or designee) determine sanctions; or
    2. The responding student may admit the alleged violation(s) and request a Student Conduct Hearing for determination of sanctions; or
    3. The responding student may deny the alleged violation(s), and request a Student Conduct Hearing for determination of responsibility and sanctions, if found responsible.
    4. In the event that the responding student does not make an election of one of the three options listed above in 5.6 within ten (10) business days of the written notification, then the Director of Student Compliance (or designee) will determine sanctions.

Hearings:

A hearing will be scheduled as promptly as possible for students who request a hearing. 

The responding student and complainant shall be given written notice of the time, date, and place of the hearing; a list of the Hearing Chairperson and Hearing Panel members; the alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct; and additional instructions regarding Student Conduct Hearing preparation.

Hearing procedures as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct will be followed.

Sanctions:

The College will issue sanctions consistent with the impact of the offense on the College community. Progressive sanctioning principles will be followed in that the student’s prior discipline history at the College will be taken into account. The following sanctions may be issued:

  1. Written Warning – A written notice to the student that the student has violated College regulations.
  2. Probation – A period of observation and review of conduct during which the student or student group or organization must demonstrate compliance with College standards. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of additional sanctions if the student or student group or organization is found to violate any College regulation(s) during the probationary period. Probation may be issued for any violation(s), but will be issued for all alcohol and drug violations and all violations resulting in sanctions of suspension or dismissal.
  3. Restrictions – Denial of access to specific areas of the College or participation in certain groups or activities for a designated period of time and for clearly stated reasons.
  4. Restitution – Compensation for loss, damage, or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
  5. Discretionary Sanctions – Educational assignments, essays, or other related discretionary assignments.

    Discretionary sanctions may be issued for any violation(s). Discretionary sanctions for drug and alcohol offenses specifically, may include assignments, essays, informational meetings, meeting with an LCC Counselor to discuss drug and alcohol abuse, Random Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), and completion of community drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation programs, and education programs. Discretionary sanctions for sexual misconduct offenses specifically, may include meeting with an LCC Counselor to discuss sexual harassment and/or completion of education programs.
  6. No contact order – An order prohibiting contact between the responding student and the complainant, witnesses, and/or other individuals including any/all unwarranted communications between the parties including, but not limited to, communication via technology, third party communication, or face to face.
  7. Suspension – Separation of the student from the College for a specified length of time (usually a year or less) after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified. Suspensions may be effective immediately or deferred (e.g., a suspension issued toward the end of a semester may be deferred to the day after the end of that semester).

    When students are issued a suspension, re-entry to the College is determined at the return from suspension meeting with the Office of Student Compliance. All sanctions must be completed prior to the return from suspension meeting. The College does not have a specific re-entry program for students with alcohol and drug violations beyond what is listed here.
  8. Dismissal – Separation of the student from the College for a year or more. The student may be eligible for return. Conditions for readmission may be specified. Dismissals will be effective immediately.

    When students are issued a dismissal, re-entry to the College is determined at the return from dismissal meeting with the Office of Student Compliance. All sanctions must be completed prior to the return from dismissal meeting. The College does not have a specific re-entry program for students with alcohol and drug violations beyond what is listed here.
  9. Expulsion – Termination of the student from the College permanently. Expulsions will be effective immediately.
  10. Revocation of Admission and/or Degree – Admission to or a degree awarded from the College may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, or other violation of College standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation.
  11. Withholding Degree or Certificate – The College may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in this Student Code of Conduct, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any.

More than one of the sanctions listed above may be imposed for any single violation.

The following sanctions may be imposed for student groups or organizations:

  1. Those sanctions listed above.
  2. Loss of selected rights and privileges for a specified period of time.
  3. Loss of Recognition- Registered Student Organizations may lose recognition and will be deprived of the use of College resources, the use of the College’s name, and the right to participate in College or campus-sponsored activities. The loss of recognition may be for a specific period of time or for an indefinite period of time until stated all conditions are met.

Appeals:

Either party (responding student or complainant) may appeal the decision of the Director of Student Compliance (or designee) or the decision of the Hearing Panel within ten (10) business days of the date of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing by completing the appeal form, including any additional information, and submitting it to the Office of Student Compliance. Both parties will be notified in writing upon receipt of an appeal.

The Provost (or designee) shall have the sole authority to determine whether or not an appeal warrants further review. An appeal that has been accepted for review shall be limited to a review of the information submitted in the appeal. In addition, for appeals regarding the Hearing Panel’s decision, the review may include the verbatim record of the Student Conduct Hearing and supporting documents. Appeals may be considered for one or more of the following reasons only:

  1. A procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter;
  2. New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time determination regarding responsibility was made, that could affect the outcome of the matter;
  3. A demonstrable bias by a member(s) of the Hearing Panel;
  4. A sanction that is (substantially) disproportionate to the severity of the violation(s).

If an appeal is based on (a), (b) or (c) (as listed above) and is approved by the Provost (or designee), the matter shall be returned to a new Student Conduct Hearing Panel and Chairperson for a hearing or rehearing, which will take into consideration the suggestions made by the Provost (or designee) in addition to the facts that were originally presented.

If an appeal is based on (d) (as listed above) and is approved by the Provost (or designee), the matter will be returned to a new Student Conduct Hearing Panel and Chairperson to determine sanction(s) only.

The decision of the new Hearing Panel and Chairperson, after it has rendered its decision in any of these cases, shall be final and binding upon all involved.

If an appeal is not approved by the Provost (or designee), the matter shall be considered final and binding upon all involved.

Both parties will be notified simultaneously in writing of the appeal outcome, including the rationale for the decision.

See the Student Code of Conduct in its entirety.

 

6. Reference

  • Anti-Hazing Policy 
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Stop Campus Hazing Act 
  • Hazing Resources and Prevention 
  • Programming - Human Resources, Student Affairs, and the LCC Police Department are authorized to provide and develop education programs to increase knowledge and share information and resources to prevent hazing, promote safety, and reduce perpetration. The College provides education and/or training to students and employees to enhance understanding and increase awareness of the College’s Hazing policy and procedure.


7. Definitions

Hazing is defined as:

  1. "Hazing" means an intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual and that the person knew or should have known endangers the physical health or safety of the individual, and that is done for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Hazing includes any of the following that is done for such a purpose:
    1. Physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
    2. Physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, or calisthenics, that subjects the other person to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
    3. Activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
    4. Activity that induces, causes, or requires an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing.
  2. "Organization" means a fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, cooperative, club, service group, social group, athletic team, or similar group whose members are primarily students at an educational institution.
  3. "Pledge" means an individual who has been accepted by, is considering an offer of membership from, or is in the process of qualifying for membership in any organization.
  4. "Pledging" means any action or activity related to becoming a member of an organization.
  5. "Serious impairment of a body function" includes 1 or more of the following:(a) Loss of a limb or loss of use of a limb. (b) Loss of a foot, hand, finger, or thumb or loss of use of a foot, hand, finger, or thumb. (c) Loss of an eye or ear or loss of use of an eye or ear. (d) Loss or substantial impairment of a bodily function. (e) Serious visible disfigurement. (f) A comatose state that lasts for more than 3 days. (g) Measurable brain or mental impairment. (h) A skull fracture or other serious bone fracture. (i) Subdural hemorrhage or subdural hematoma. (j) Loss of an organ.

The Hazing definition under Stop Campus Hazing Act, apply to this process.

  1. “Hazing” is defined as “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons 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 the institution of higher education or the 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 criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
      • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

Sanctions - The Conduct Officer, Presiding Officer, or Hearing Panel and the Chairperson will consider the sanctions listed below for any student found responsible for a violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct or Student General Rules and Guidelines that they find to be fair and proportionate to the violation(s). In determining an appropriate sanction(s), they endeavor to be educational and restorative in nature and may also consider any record of past violations of the Student Code of Conduct or Student General Rules and Guidelines as well as the nature and severity of such past violation(s). Any sanction(s) issued will include a rationale in the written determination.