Hazing Policy Statement

As part of its commitment to fostering an environment that prioritizes the safety, integrity, and well-being of all community members, Bates college prohibits hazing as part of the Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy and works proactively to prevent it. This statement provides information on the college’s policies and procedures related to those efforts.

What is hazing?

Under Bates College policy, hazing is defined as “any act or action which does or is likely to endanger the mental or physical health or safety of any person as it relates to a person’s initiation, admission into, or affiliation with any Bates-recognized group or organization.

For the purposes of this definition:

  • It is not necessary that a person’s initiation or continued membership is contingent upon participation in the activity, or that the activity was sanctioned or approved by the student group or student organization, for an allegation of hazing to be upheld.
  • It shall not constitute an excuse or defense to a hazing allegation that the participants took part voluntarily, gave consent to the conduct, voluntarily assumed the risks or hardship of the activity, or that no injury was suffered or sustained.
  • The actions of alumni, active, new, and/or prospective members of a student group or student organization may be considered hazing.”

This definition aligns with Maine state law which also prohibits hazing. The statute uses the following definition:

“any action or situation, including harassing behavior, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any school personnel or a student enrolled at an institution in this State or any activity expected of a student as a condition of joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers the student, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate in the activity.”

Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:

  • Acts of physical violence: whipping, beating, striking, shocking, placing harmful substances on someone’s body, or similar activity;
  • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing:
    • consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
    • sleep deprivation;
    • exposure to the elements;
    • confinement;
    • extreme calisthenics;
    • forced nudity or the performance of sexual acts;
  • Any activity that places a person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • Any activity that includes a violation of local, state, or federal law.

Individual who engage in hazing may be subject to both college disciplinary action under the Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy and criminal prosecution.

Reporting Hazing

Individuals who have experienced hazing and Bates community members who are aware of hazing incidents should promptly report them to the college using one of the mechanisms listed below.

To make a report to the college and learn about support resources, please contact:

Gwen Lexow, Associate Vice President for Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
titleix@bates.edu | 207-786-6445 | Lane Hall 202-A.

You may also contact other members of the Non-Discrimination Team or Bates Campus Safety (245 College St. | 207-786-6254).

Reporting online or anonymously:

Individuals may report hazing incidents using an online form. This form provides the option to report anonymously.

Reporting to law enforcement:

In addition to reporting to the college, individuals may wish to file a criminal complaint with law enforcement. You may call the Lewiston Police Department ay 207-784-6421 or go directly to the police station located at 171 Park Street, Lewiston. You may also contact any of the following for assistance with filing a criminal complaint: Gwen Lexow, AVP for Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance; Bates Campus Safety; and the Confidential Resource Advisor (CRA). Individuals are NOT required to file a criminal complaint in order to get assistance from the college.

Hazing prevention and awareness programming

The college implements research-informed strategies designed to increase awareness of hazing and to prevent its occurrance. These strategies include:

  • Annual training for students on the college’s hazing policy;
  • Annual training for employees on the college’s hazing policy, including their responsibilities regarding the reporting of hazing;
  • Annual training for athletes and student club and organization leaders on the dangers of hazing, how to prevent it, and steps they can take to foster team-building without hazing; and
  • Mandatory Green Dot bystander intervention training for all new students, more advanced skill-building workshops for returning students.

More information about hazing and how to prevent it is available through these resources: