Updated: August 2026
I. PURPOSE
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require all colleges and universities to disclose hazing incidents in their Annual Security Reports (ASR). The SCHA mandates that colleges define hazing, compile statistics on reported cases, and establish transparent policies for reporting and prevention. The purpose of this policy is to establish CCS’s Anti-Hazing Policy, identify how CCS will implement this policy, and identify resources for reporting violations of this policy.
II. POLICY STATEMENT
Pursuant to the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) and Michigan’s Anti-Hazing Law, CCS does not tolerate hazing. Organizations or individuals found responsible for hazing under this policy, whether occurring on or off campus, may be subject to disciplinary action and or civil or criminal prosecution.
III. STATE OF MICHIGAN LAW ON HAZING
In addition to CCS’s Anti-Hazing Policy, the State of Michigan has criminalized certain types of hazing at educational institutions, including colleges and universities, under “Garrett’s Law,” MC750.411t – https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-750-411t.
Under Garrett’s Law, hazing includes an intentional, knowing, or reckless disregard act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual and that 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. It is not a defense to a prosecution under Garrett’s Law that the individual against whom the hazing was directed, consented or acquiesced in the hazing.
IV. DEFINITIONS
Hazing – any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate, that:
- Is connected with the institution, in affiliation with, or pertains to the initiation and or maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and
- Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk in the course of participation at the College of physical injury, psychological harm, or degradation.
- Hazing may include the following or similar acts: whipping, beating, striking, electric 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, liquids, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another 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 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.
Student Organization – An organization at College for Creative Studies (CCS), such as a club, society, association, athletic team, club sports team, or student government, in which two or more members are students, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the college.
V. APPLICATION
This policy applies to:
- Students of the college;
- Minors participating in college-sponsored youth programs and educational programs;
- Any organization operating as a reorganized student organization by the college;
- A group of two or more student members, whether or not established or recognized by the college.
VI. REPORTING
Any person should report a hazing concern if they believe it has occurred or have reasonable cause to believe it will happen. Reasonable cause means a person who witnesses hazing or receives a credible written or oral report of hazing, or potential or planned hazing activity.
- To report a hazing concern, please file a CCS Incident Report.
- In the report, please provide a description of the hazing behavior, individuals and/or organizations involved, where the hazing occurred, and whether the hazing is ongoing.
- Include any photos or videos you would like to submit.
- You may receive a response from a CCS staff member during normal business hours to ask questions pertaining to the report and acknowledge receipt.
A case involving a crime, emergency, or immediate threat to the health or safety of any person should be reported immediately to the Wayne State Police or local law enforcement by calling 911.
VII. INVESTIGATING
Upon receipt of a hazing report, the Assistant Vice President of Campus Life (AVPCL) will conduct an initial assessment, typically within 5 business days, to determine whether the report falls within the scope of this policy and whether interim measures are needed to protect the safety of any individual involved.
If the report proceeds to investigation, AVPCL will:
- Notify the student organization that a report has been received;
- Interview the reporting party, the organization’s leadership, and any relevant witnesses;
- Gather relevant evidence, which may include photos, videos, written communications, or other documentation; and
- Determine, based on the evidence gathered, whether it is more likely than not that a violation of this policy occurred.
Investigations are typically completed within 15 business days of initiation, though timelines may vary based on the complexity of the report, witness availability, and any concurrent law enforcement involvement. Upon conclusion, the AVPCL will provide written notice to the student organization of the outcome, including any sanctions imposed. If applicable: the organization may appeal the outcome by submitting a written appeal to the Provost within 10 business days of the date the finding is issued.
VIII. CCS RESOURCES
IX. EXTERNAL RESOURCES
- https://stophazing.org/about/
- Organization that provides hazing research and created “We Don’t Haze” documentary video
- National non-profit committed to preventing hazing and educating society about the harms of hazing: https://hazingpreventionnetwork.org/hazingprevention-org-is-now-the-hazing-prevention-network/
Change Log:
- 06/23/25 Effective Date