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Tag: Hazing

Published on
  • Effective: 10/28/2014
  • Revision:  2/26/2019
  • Reviewed:
  1. Board Directive
    Jordan School District is committed to providing a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect.  The Board, therefore, delegates to the District Administration responsibility for establishing policy regarding bullying, cyberbullying and hazing.
  2. Administrative Policy
    The Administration shall take appropriate disciplinary action when students or employees engage in bullying,  cyberbullying or hazing.

    1.  Definitions
      1. Abusive Conduct: verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a person directed toward a school employee that, based on its severity, nature, and frequency of occurrence, a reasonable person would determine is intended to cause intimidation, humiliation, or unwarranted distress.
      2. Bullying: intentionally committing a written, verbal, or physical act against a school employee or student that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know or reasonably foresee will have the effect of:
        1. Causing physical or emotional harm to the school employee or student;
        2. Causing damage to the school employee’s or student’s property;
        3. Placing the school employee or student in reasonable fear of:
          1. Harm to the school employee’s or student’s physical or emotional well-being; or
          2. Damage to the school employee’s or student’s property;
        4. Creating a hostile, threatening, humiliating, or abusive educational environment due to:
          1. the pervasiveness, persistence, or severity of the actions; or
          2. a power differential between the bully and the target; or
        5. Substantially interfering with a student having a safe school environment that is necessary to facilitate educational performance, opportunities, or benefits.
        6. Bullying typically involves repeated negative actions in a situation where an imbalance of power or strength exists and may include, but is not necessarily limited to:
          1. Physical bullying including but not limited to hitting and/or punching;
          2. Verbal bullying including but not limited to teasing or name calling;
          3. Non-verbal or emotional bullying including but not limited to intimidation through gestures, social exclusion and relational aggression.
        7. The conduct described above constitutes bullying, regardless of whether the person being bullied either directed, consented to, or acquiesced in, the conduct.
      3. Communication: the conveyance of a message, whether verbal, written, or electronic.
      4. Cyberbullying: using the Internet, a cell phone, or another device to send or post text, video, or an image with the intent or knowledge, or with reckless disregard, that the text, video, or image will hurt, embarrass, or threaten an individual, regardless of whether the individual directed, consented to, or acquiesced in the conduct, or voluntarily accessed the electronic communication.
      5. Harassment: repeatedly communicating to another individual, in an objectively demeaning or disparaging manner, statements that contribute to a hostile learning or work environment for the individual (See Policy AS94—Student Discrimination and Harassment and DP358—Employee Discrimination and Harassment).
      6. Hazing: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly committing an act, or causing another individual to commit an act toward a school employee or student that:
        1. Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a school employee or student;
        2. Involves any brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, bruising, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or exposure to the elements;
        3. Involves consumption of any food, alcoholic product, drug, or other substance or other physical activity that endangers the mental or physical health and safety of a school employee or student; or
        4. Involves any activity that would subject a school employee or student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, extended isolation from social contact, or conduct that subjects a school employee or student to extreme embarrassment, shame, or humiliation; and
        5. Is committed for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, holding office in, or as a condition for membership in a school or school sponsored team, organization, program, club, or event; or
        6. Is directed toward a school employee or student whom the individual who commits the act knows, at the time the act is committed, is a member of, or candidate for membership in, a school or school sponsored team, organization, program, club, or event in which the individual who commits the act also participates.
        7. The conduct described above constitutes hazing, regardless of whether the school employee or student against whom the conduct is committed directed, consented to, or acquiesced in, the conduct.
      7. Parent: a student’s parent and/or legal guardian.
      8. Restorative Practice: a discipline practice designed to enhance school safety, reduce school suspensions, and limit referrals to court, and to help minors take responsibility and repair the harm of behavior that occurs in school.
      9. Retaliation: an act of communication intended:
        1. As retribution against a person for reporting bullying, cyberbullying, hazing or harassment; or
        2. To improperly influence the investigation of, or the response to, a report of bullying.
      10. Trauma-informed Care: a strengths-based service delivery approach grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma, emphasizing physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both offenders and victims, and creating opportunities for victims to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.
    2.  Prohibitions
      1. A school employee, student, volunteer or patron may not engage in bullying or otherwise harassing a school employee or student:
        1. on school property
        2. at a school related or sponsored event
        3. on a school bus
        4. at a school bus stop
        5. while the school employee or student is traveling to or from a location or event described above.
      2. A school employee or student may not engage in hazing, cyberbullying or abusive conduct toward a school employee or student at any time or in any location as per Utah Code 53G-9-602.
      3. A school employee or student may not engage in retaliation against:
        1. a school employee,
        2. a student, or
        3. an investigator for, or witness or, an alleged incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, hazing, or retaliation.
      4. A school employee or student may not make a false allegation of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, hazing, or retaliation against a school employee or student.
      5. Any bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or hazing that is found to be targeted at a federally protected class is further prohibited under federal anti-discrimination laws and is subject to compliance regulations from the Office for Civil Rights (see Policy AS94—Student Discrimination and Harassment)
    3. Investigation and Response Guidelines
      1. Each reported complaint shall include:
        1. Name of complaining party
        2. Name of offender (if known)
        3. Date and location of incident(s)
        4. A statement describing the incident(s), including names of witnesses (if known)
      2. Each reported violation of the prohibitions noted previously shall be promptly and reasonably investigated by a school administrator or an individual designated by a school administrator. Formal disciplinary action is prohibited based solely on an anonymous report of bullying, hazing, or retaliation.
      3. Violations of the prohibitions noted previously may fall under District policy AS67—Discipline of Students and the consequence(s) may include but are not limited to:
        1. Use of positive restorative practices consistent with Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rule R277-613
        2. Student suspension or removal from a school-sponsored team or activity, including school-sponsored transportation;
        3. Student referral, under policy AS67—Discipline of Students, or a lesser disciplinary action which may merit student suspension or expulsion from school
        4. Employee suspension or termination for cause or lesser disciplinary action
        5. Employee reassignment
        6. Employees may be subject to provisions in DP316 – Orderly Termination Procedures
        7. Other action against student or employee as applicable.
      4. Action to include when appropriate:
        1. Procedures for protecting the victim and other involved individuals from being subjected to:
          1. further bullying, cyberbullying, or harassment
          2. retaliation for reporting the bullying, cyberbullying and harassment
        2. Referral of victim and/or aggressor to school psychologist, counselor, or other appropriate personnel for support through trauma-informed care.
        3. Procedures for a fair and timely opportunity for the accused to explain the accusations and defend his/her actions prior to student or employee discipline.
        4. Incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, hazing, harassment, and retaliation will be reported to the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee.
        5. Procedures for providing local employee discipline rights under DP 316—Orderly Termination Procedures for employee discipline and District Policy AS67 —Discipline of Students prior to long-term (more than 10 days) student discipline should be followed as appropriate.
    4. Parental Notification of Certain Incidents and Threats Required
      1. The school shall notify a parent if the parent’s student threatens suicide or if the student is involved in an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation of the incident involving each parent’s student.
        1. If a school uses restorative practices, the school shall notify the involved students’ parents of the restorative practice and obtain consent from the involved student(s)’ parent(s) before including the victim in the process;
        2. If a school notifies a parent of an incident or threat required to be reported, the school shall produce and maintain a record that verifies that the parent was notified of the incident or threat.
      2. A school shall maintain a record in accordance with the requirements of the:
        1. Utah Student Data Protection Act (Utah Code § 53E-9-301, et. seq.);
        2. Utah Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Utah Code § 53E-9-202 seq.);
        3. Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 12332g; and 34 C.F.R. Part 99).
      3. At the request of a parent, a school may provide information and make recommendations related to an incident or threat.
      4. A school shall provide a student copy of a record maintained in accordance with this section that relates to the student if the student requests a copy of the record; and expunge a record maintained in accordance with this section that relates to a student if the student:
        1. Has graduated from high school; and
        2. Requests the record be expunged.
    5. Training and Additional Considerations
      1. Students, staff, and volunteers shall receive training regarding bullying, cyberbullying, hazing, harassment, and retaliation. Training shall comply with Utah State Board of Education Rules. (See Utah Administrative Code, Rule 277-613-4.)
      2. Prior to any student, employee, or volunteer coach participating in a District athletic program, or extracurricular club or activity, the student employee or coach shall participate in bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and harassment prevention training. Training shall comply with Utah State Board of Education Rules. (See Utah Administrative Code, Rule 277-613-5.)

Published on
  • Effective: 6/9/1998
  • Revision: 10/27/2015
  1. Board Directive
    The Board recognizes that student participation in any extracurricular activity and/or student government is a privilege and not a matter of right.  The Board expects students who are allowed to participate in such activities to be role models.  The Board also requires employees to be role models.  All students and employees are prohibited from engaging in hazing as defined in this policy and as outlined in Utah Code §53G-8-209.  The Board authorizes the District Administration to establish policy for student and employee conduct related to school activities and to take such action when policy is violated.
  2. Administrative Policy
    The Administration shall take appropriate disciplinary action when students or employees engage in hazing.

    1. Definitions
      1. “Hazing” means intentional, knowing, or reckless acts of a demeaning or assaultive nature, whether or not consensual, or causing another to so act, in connection, affiliated with or sponsored by Jordan School District,  including but not limited to acts that involve;
        1. Endangering the mental or physical health or safety of another;
        2. Any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, bruising, electric shocking, placing harmful substances on another’s body, or exposure to the elements;
        3. Any physical activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another;
        4. Any activity that would subject any person to extreme mental stress such as sleep deprivation, extended isolation from social contact or conduct that subjects another to extreme embarrassment, shame or humiliation;
        5.  Use, possession or distribution of controlled substances, drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco or alcoholic beverages;
        6. Threatening comments or statements;
        7.  Cruelty to animals as provided by law;
        8.  Initiation, admission into, affiliation with, holding office in or as a condition for continued membership in any organization;
        9. Forcing others to engage in or be the subject of degrading pranks, games, stunts, practical jokes;
        10. Forcing students to ingest any substance;
        11. Forced personal servitude;
        12. Forcing students to wear outrageous, ridiculous or embarrassing articles of clothing;
        13. Coercing or promoting acts of vandalism, theft, assault, sexual acts or criminal activity;
        14. Coercing or promoting indecent exposure, gross or lewd behavior;
        15. Forcing any student to engage in illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, or immoral conduct.
    2. Policy Provisions
      1. It shall not be a defense that a person under 21 years of age, against whom the hazing was directed, cooperated, acquiesced, consented, and/or also engaged in hazing activity.
      2. Student Discipline
        1. Students who participate in hazing activity shall be suspended by the school principal to a parent conference and be subject to discipline pursuant to Policy AS67—Discipline of Students.
        2. Students who illicitly use, possess, and/or distribute a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, tobacco or alcoholic beverages while engaging in hazing shall, in addition to the discipline here provided, be subject to discipline under Policy AS90—Drugs and Alcohol.
      3. Employee Responsibilities
        1. School District employees who are aware of, initiate, promote, and/or engage in hazing shall be subject to adverse employment action including either probation or termination of employment for cause under the appropriate District Orderly Termination policy:  DP 316 – Orderly Termination Procedure – Licensed; DP 316A – Orderly Termination Procedure – Administrators; DP 316B – Orderly Termination Procedures - Education Support Professionals.
        2. School District employees who reasonably believe that a violation of this policy has occurred shall immediately (by the next working day) report the alleged incident, either to the building principal or the designee of the Superintendent of Schools.
        3. Principals who receive a report of hazing shall, within ten (10) working days after receipt of such report, submit a report to the Superintendent’s designee which states:
          1. details of the alleged incident;
          2. the identity of persons believes to be involved;
          3. action taken in response.
        4. Employees who fail to give the notice to his/her immediate supervisor required under this policy have committed an unprofessional practice and shall be subject to adverse employment action, including probation or termination under the appropriate District Orderly Termination policy:  DP 316 – Orderly Termination Procedure – Licensed; DP 316A – Orderly Termination Procedure – Administrators; DP 316B – Orderly Termination Procedures - Education Support Professioinals.  (See Utah Code §53G-8-209 3C).
    3. District Activities
      1. The District and schools shall establish, and provide access to procedures and information regarding hazing, harassment, bullying and retaliation.  The information will be posted on the District website.
        1. The District and schools shall develop procedures allowing for anonymous reporting of hazing, harassment, bullying or retaliation;
        2. Building administration is responsible for conducting investigations and responding to reports of hazing, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.
      2. In addition to the published procedures and notification above, each school shall follow established procedures and plans for:
        1. Involvement of parents or guardians of a perpetrator or victim of hazing, harassment, bullying, or retaliation in the process of responding to, and resolving conduct prohibited in this policy;
        2. Referring a victim of hazing, harassment, bullying or retaliation to counseling following parental/guardian notice and consent;
        3. To the extent that it is appropriate, treating the perpetrator according to the provisions of District Policy AS67—Discipline of Students;
        4. Training school employees and students to recognize hazing, harassment, bullying or retaliation.
    4. Actions Required When Prohibited Acts Are Reported
      1. Each reported complaint shall include:
        1. Name of complaining party
        2. Name of offender (if known)
        3. Date and location of incident
        4. Statement describing the incident(s), including name(s) of witness(es)
      2. Each reported violation shall be investigated by the School Administrator or this/her designee.  Formal disciplinary action is prohibited based solely on an anonymous report of hazing, harassment, bullying or retaliation.
      3. Violations of the prohibitions noted previously may fall under District Policy AS67—Discipline of Students and the consequence(s) may include but are not limited to:
        1. Student suspension or removal from a school-sponsored team or activity, including school-sponsored transportation;
        2. Student referral, under District Policy AS67—Discipline of Students, or a lesser disciplinary action which may merit student suspension or expulsion from school;
        3. Employee suspension or termination for cause or lesser disciplinary action;
        4. Employee reassignment; or
        5. Other action against student or employee as applicable.
      4. Action to include when appropriate:
        1. Procedures for protecting the victim and other involved individuals from being subjected to:
          1. further hazing, harassment or bullying; and
          2. retaliation for reporting the hazing, harassment and bullying.
        2. Procedures for a fair and timely opportunity for the accused to explain the accusations and defend his/her actions prior to student or employee discipline.
        3. Reporting incidents of hazing, harassment, bullying and retaliation to the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee.
        4. Procedures for providing local employee discipline rights under Utah Code Section 53G-8-204 for employee discipline and District Policy AS67 —Discipline of Students prior to long-term (more than 10 days) student discipline.
    5. Training and Additional Consideration
      1. The training of school employees shall include training regarding hazing, harassment, bullying and retaliation.
      2. To the extent possible, programs or interventions designed to provide training and education regarding the prevention of hazing, harassment, bullying and retaliation should be implemented.
      3. Training should be extended to volunteer and paid coaches, and activity leaders for all extra-curricular activities.
        1. Participants, volunteers and adult supervisors of extra-curricular activities should be informed annually of this policy and the prohibited activities outlined in this policy.
        2. Participants, volunteers and adult supervisors shall be informed annually of the policy and the potential consequences for violation of the policy.
        3. The District Policy AS95—Conduct Related to School Activities will be reviewed by the District Leadership team comprised of parents, teachers, school administration, school staff and District Administrators.

Revision history:  2/14/12

2/25/2020: Board of Education approved the term “Education Support Professionals” to replace “Classified” to describe personnel not licensed as educators.