Anti-Hazing Policy
Hazing violates the purpose and mission of Catholic education, wherein students are called to grow in their commitment to God, one another, the Church, and the wider community.
Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing or reckless act meant to induce pain, embarrassment, humiliation, deprivation of rights or that creates physical or mental discomfort, and is directed against a student for the purpose of being initiated into, affiliated with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, club, athletic team sponsored or supported by any parish, elementary or secondary school in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, whether such hazing practices were mandatory or voluntarily entered into by any student or organization in question. Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to the following:
Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to the following:
- Recklessly or intentionally endangering the physical health, mental health, safety, or dignity of a person
- Willful destruction or removal of public or private property for initiation or admission into affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in any organization
- Forcing or requiring the drinking of alcohol or any other substance
- Forcing or requiring the eating of food or anything an individual refuses to eat
- Calisthenics such as push-ups, sit-ups, jogging, etc.
- Paddling or striking in any manner • Treasure or scavenger hunts, road trips
- Marking, branding, or shaving the head or body hair
- Preventing/restricting normal personal hygiene
- Sexual harassment causing indecent exposure or nudity at any time
- Physical harassment such as pushing, cursing, shouting, etc.
- Requiring uncomfortable, ridiculous, or embarrassing dress • Requiring the carrying of items
- Requiring personal service or acts of servitude
- Treating a person in a degrading or demeaning manner
- Requiring new members to practice periods of silence
- Conducting interrogations or any other types of questioning Student and supervising adults must not remain silent if they observe hazing.
Student and supervising adults must not remain silent if they observe hazing. Silence condones these activities and may make the observer as guilty as the hazers themselves. Any hazing incident witnessed by a student or supervising adult should be immediately reported to the principal. Individuals or groups found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action that could include suspension or expulsion from the school.