Hazing

Collin’s Law Hazing Policy

The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College considers any form of hazing detrimental to the growth and development of the individual.  As part of its commitment to promoting a safe and healthy environment for the campus community and cultivating a culture that fosters respect for the dignity and rights of all of members, Rio Grande does not tolerate hazing activities by any members of the campus community. The University and Community College prohibit hazing as defined in this policy and will investigate and respond to all reports of hazing as outlined in this policy. Rio Grande’s hazing policy may be found on Rio Grande’s website and in the student handbook.  

A. DEFINITION OF HAZING: According to Section 2903.31 of the Revised Code: “Hazing means doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization or any act to continue or reinstate membership in or affiliation with any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse, as defined in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code.” Violations to this section of the Revised Code are a misdemeanor of the second degree and a felony of the third degree.  

B. PROHIBITED ACTS: No individual or organization associated with Rio Grande shall participate in hazing. This Policy applies to prohibited acts of hazing that take place between two or more individuals associated with Rio Grande, regardless of whether the conduct occurs on or off campus. Students are strongly encouraged to report incidents of hazing in accordance with division D of this Policy.
No administrator, employee, faculty member, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer shall permit the hazing of any person associated with Rio Grande. Accordingly, all administrators, employees, faculty members, teachers, consultants, alumni, and volunteers of Rio Grande are required to report incidents of hazing in accordance with division D of this Policy.

C. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS: Violations to Rio Grande’s policy will result in appropriate penalties imposed through the hearing system in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, Policies and Procedures Manual, Corrective Action and Termination Policy (4.21), and/or collective bargaining agreement, as applicable. Such penalties may include, but are not limited to, the imposition of fines; withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the rules or payment of fines; the revocation of permission for an organization to operate on campus or to otherwise operate under the recognition or sanction of the institution; the imposition of probation, suspension, or expulsion, and termination of employment. These violations shall be in addition to a penalty imposed for a violation of section 2903.31 of the Revised Code, the criminal laws of this state, or for a violation of any other rule, policy, or procedure of Rio Grande or a student organization operating on Rio Grande’s campus, to which the individual or organization who committed the violation may be subject.

D. REPORTING ACTS OF HAZING: Rio will publish no less than twice annually all reported incidents of hazing.  Reported incidents can be found under student consumer information: Collin’s Law Hazing Report below. Incidents of hazing can be reported by completing the non-academic student complaint form located on the Student Affairs section of the forms page and emailing the form to hazing@rio.edu, or anonymously by contacting :

• Office of Student Affairs: Seth Lawrence, Dean of Students
  • Rhodes Student Center 118 – 740-245-7350
• Campus Police: Sean McIntyre, Chief of Police
  • Campus Police – 740-245-7286
• Emergency Services: 911