Stop Campus Hazing

Touro University’s Code of Conduct is a foundational document that outlines the behavioral expectations for all students across academic programs and campuses. It prohibits misconduct that jeopardizes the health, safety, and dignity of others, which are principles that are central to hazing prevention.

For reporting statistics for incidents of hazing, the Stop Campus Hazing Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)(6)(A)(vi)) establishes the following definitions:

‘Hazing’ means 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—

1. is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
2. 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—
   1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
   2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
   3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
   4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
   5. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
   6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
   7. 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

State laws referenced herein shall correspond to each Touro campus, depending on location. Members of the Touro community are encouraged to familiarize themselves with both state and federal laws as applicable.

A. New York State Penal Law § 120.16 and § 120.17:

1. 1. Hazing in the first degree. A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury. Hazing in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.
   2. Hazing in the second degree. A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when, in the course of another person's initiation or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct, including, but not limited to, making physical contact with or requiring physical activity of such other person, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person. Hazing in the second degree is a violation.

• Codes of Conduct
  • Touro University Code of Conduct
  • New York Medical College Code of Conduct
  • New York College of Podiatric Medicine Code of Conduct
• Annual Security Reports
  • Touro University ASR
  • New York Medical College ASR
  • New York College of Podiatric Medicine ASR

B. California Penal Code § 245.6:

1. It shall be unlawful to engage in hazing, as defined in this section.
2. “Hazing” means any method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university, or other educational institution in this state. The term “hazing” does not include customary athletic events or school-sanctioned events.
3. A violation of this section that does not result in serious bodily injury is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.
4. Any person who personally engages in hazing that results in death or serious bodily injury as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (f) of Section 243 of the Penal Code, is guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
5. The person against whom the hazing is directed may commence a civil action for injury or damages. The action may be brought against any participants in the hazing, or any organization to which the student is seeking membership whose agents, directors, trustees, managers, or officers authorized, requested, commanded, participated in, or ratified the hazing.

• Codes of Conduct:
  • Touro University Code of Conduct
  • Touro University Worldwide / Touro College Los Angeles Code of Conduct
• Annual Security Reports:
  • Touro University California ASR
  • Touro University Worldwide / Touro College Los Angeles ASR

C. NRS § 200.605:

1. A person who engages in hazing is guilty of:
   1. A misdemeanor, if no substantial bodily harm results.
   2. A gross misdemeanor, if substantial bodily harm results.
2. Consent of a victim of hazing is not a valid defense to a prosecution conducted pursuant to this section.
3. For the purposes of this section, an activity shall be deemed to be “forced” if initiation into or affiliation with a student organization, academic association or athletic team is directly or indirectly conditioned upon participation in the activity.
4. As used in this section, “hazing” means an activity in which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical health of another person for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with a student organization, academic association or athletic team at a high school, college or university in this state. The term:
   1. Includes, without limitation, any physical brutality or brutal treatment, including, without limitation, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements or forced consumption of food, liquor, drugs or other substances.
   2. Does not include any athletic, curricular, extracurricular or quasi-military practice, conditioning or competition that is sponsored or approved by the high school, college or university.

• Touro University Nevada Code of Conduct
• Annual Security Report
  • Touro University Nevada ASR

D. 720 ILCS § 5/12C-50:

1. A person commits hazing when he or she knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State, for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution, if:
   1. the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and
   2. the act results in bodily harm to any person.
2. Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except that hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony.

• Codes of Conduct:
  • Hebrew Theological College Code of Conduct
  • Touro University Illinois Code of Conduct
• Annual Security Reports:
• • Touro University Illinois ASR
  • Hebrew Theological College ASR

In addition to criminal penalties, individuals and organizations may be held liable in civil court for harm resulting from hazing. This includes group members, leaders, advisors, and the group itself.