Sorority and Fraternity Life Hazing Management

Sorority and Fraternity Life Transaction Narrative

Date Created:  February 2, 2024              Last Updated:  August 2, 2024

Overview:

As of Fall 2024, there are 50 University recognized fraternity and sorority chapters, of which 11 have University owned properties, comprised of approximately 3,300+ students are recognized by Cornell University. This population is educated about hazing prevention held accountable for their hazing related behaviors. Chapter leadership is required to submit an attestation around hazing awareness and education and register their chapter annually. Presidents and New Member Educators of Greek letter organizations are required to attend a hazing prevention and education training annually, delivered by staff in the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards in collaboration with the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, after the chapters have elected their new leadership. Prospective new members must complete anti-hazing training prior to being eligible to join a fraternity or sorority and 15% of membership from each chapter is required to attend National Hazing Prevention Week activities organized by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life. Prevention education and opportunities for involvement are geared towards safety and community standards expected of all campus individuals and groups. Trainings provide education around the University definition of hazing and disciplinary process should there be an active investigation following an allegation and the consequences for not complying with mandated sanctions set by the Student Code of Conduct, National Organization Headquarters and/or their Cornell recognized organization. The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, in collaboration with Campus and Community Engagement, manages appropriate follow up for non-compliance.

Key Documents / Sources of Information:

• Hazing Prevention Within Greek Life flowchart
• Cornell Student Code of Conduct
• OSCCS flowcharts
• Cornell Sorority and Fraternity Life Expansion Policy 2021
• Organization Scorecard
• Penn State National Scorecard
• Help Us Stop Hazing – Fraternal Law
• Sorority and Fraternity Life resources and Bid link
• University recognized Chapter list
• How to Recognize and Respond to Hazing (Spring 2024 online version of Skorton Center training for students)
• Cornell University’s Hazing Website
• Cornell University’s Hazing Prevention Model
• JACH Publication on Cornell University’s Hazing Prevention Model
• Stop Hazing’s Hazing Prevention Consortium (Cornell participated from 2013 – 2016 in the first cohort)

System Access Needed:

• Campus Groups
• Canvas
• Campus Kaizen Guardian
• StarRez

Common Problems or Issues Encountered:

• Chapter and individual behaviors around identifying and responding to hazing behaviors, comprehension of training materials, and available resources will vary per individual.
• Chapter and individual behaviors may be influenced based on the training focus and expectations set by their president, new member educator, and Chapter Advisor.
• Advisors strategize and use discretion of when and where to address chapter and individual behaviors.
• Chapter Advisor is chosen by National Headquarters and is subject to change.
• Violations of the Student Code of Conduct may result in loss of recognition and the inability of the chapter to acquire funding, provide housing, host events, and qualify for chapter insurance, but investigations may not result in an identification of involved individuals. When this occurs, individual offenders are permitted to remain on campus and may repeat behavior.
• Collusion, resulting in inappropriate disclosure of information between victims and perpetrators, may occur during the investigation.
• Educational trainings on hazing, bystander intervention, and culture change strategies for positive group team building (that does not involve hazing) are not tied to eligibility to join groups, teams, or organizations or serve in leadership positions within an organization and there are no consequences or sanctions for not completing trainings.
• National Hazing Prevention Week has historically taken place in September. Cornell’s robust Greek Life new member process takes place in January. 
• Eligibility requirements and training for live-in advisors was not known at the time of this report; details will be incorporated in future updates.

Step by Step Procedures:

Education/Prevention:

1. First year and transfer students are offered hazing prevention education in two existing required New Student To Do List items (OSCCS and Alcohol and Other Drugs).

2. Chapter President registers fraternity or sorority in Campus Groups.
3. Chapters attest to guidelines and new member directives administered by National Chapters each semester.
4. President submits recruitment plan each semester to the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
5. President and new member educator attend in person training with staff from OSFL, the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives and OSCCS.
6. Potential new members must complete anti-hazing education prior to being eligible to join a sorority or fraternity.
7. Chapter leadership submits attestation to hazing policy and member roster.
8. New and returning members submit attestation to development plan.
9. Completion reports are generated and monitored by Sorority and Fraternity Life staff.
10. Chapters can apply for a grant to offer positive team building (non-hazing activities), positive action for new member onboarding (limited participation & funds).
11. Members are sent details, and 15% membership are required to attend National Hazing Prevention Week activities. 

Adjudication:

1. Anyone can make a confidential or anonymous report of hazing against a chapter either online or by contacting one of the offices listed on the University website: https://hazing.cornell.edu/reporting
2. OSCCS receive hazing reports made against Chapter and/or individual, disclose them to OSFL and when criminal they are shared with Cornell University Police Department.
3. OSCCS meets with reporting party for intake, when possible.
4. Assessment, investigation, and next steps determined by OSCCS. OSCCS may impose interim action, including temporary suspension, when appropriate.
5. Incident report is reported to (Inter)National Organization Headquarters by OSCCS, who may launch an external investigation concurrent with campus and/or legal sanctioning.
6.  OSCCS provides written description of incident outcome to Skorton Center, who posts the summary to https://hazing.cornell.edu/violations
7. OSFL posts written description of incident outcome to Organization Scorecard
8. Incident is resolved through formal complaint, alternate dispute resolution or dismissed.
9. Criminal behavior is reported to law enforcement for external proceedings, concurrently with campus sanctioning.

Accountability:

1. National Chapter sanctions and/or fines may be imposed.
2. Cornell sanctioning by OSCCS for responsible outcomes.
3. Criminal behavior managed externally by law enforcement.
4. Loss of recognition, funding, housing, branding, and ability to host events plus possibility for additional sanctions imposed for non-compliance.
5. Violations are posted on Cornell Scorecard and National Scorecard.
6. Violations are also posted on the University’s Hazing website because transparency of violations is a key strategy of Cornell’s Hazing Prevention Model.
7. If a Chapter loses university recognition, then the Chapter is required to apply and be approved through Expansion Policy to be reinstated.
8. Individual(s) may be removed from chapter and/or campus.

Metrics:

• Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life to track hazing prevention education completion and crosscheck leadership, advisor, and member rosters.
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards track # of reported allegations with their outcomes.
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards track recidivism.
• The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives administers surveys to assess students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to hazing.
• The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives tracks and monitors training status through canvas.

Glossary of Key Terms/Acronyms:

• CCE: Office of Campus and Community Engagement
• IFC: Interfraternity Council
• MGFC: Multicultural Greek Fraternal Council
• OSFL: Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life
• OSCCS: Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
• Bid link: registration and attestation for potential new members to accept an invitation to join chapter.
• MC: Mitigating Control

Between 2001 and 2015, Cornell University developed a comprehensive (i.e.  multi-component) public health hazing prevention model that addresses individuals, organizations, and the broader environment.  This model includes eight elements: leadership and culture change strategies; policy initiatives; educational initiatives; positive team building; reporting options; enforcement; support for victims; and transparency regarding violations.  For more information visit www.hazing.cornell.edu

Process Flow Chart

Misconduct Case Management - Formal Complaint

Misconduct Case Management - Dismissal by OSCCS of Formal Complaint

Misconduct Case Management - Alternate Resolution for Formal Complaint

Misconduct Case Management - Alternate Dispute Resolution if no Formal Complaint

ICP Testing