Student Organizations

As a leader of a student organization, you are required to read, understand and comply with the published policies of the University. This includes important information on Title IX and bias incident reporting, as well as the anti-hazing statute. The proceeding section will outline specifics of these important policies, as well as explain to you the process by which the University will adjudicate cases against student organizations who violate any of the policies outlined in this guide as well as the Code of Student Conduct.

The Bias Incident Response Protocol offers an effective and efficient process for individuals and/or groups to report bias incidents and/or hate crimes. It also outlines University procedures that will be instituted to respond to such acts. The protocol should be implemented whenever a bias incident or hate crime is perceived or suspected to have occurred on Northeastern University’s campus and/or in its educational programs. For more details, visit the Office for University Equity and Compliance website or contact them at (617) 373-4644.

The Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex or gender-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Prohibited offenses per Northeastern’s Title IX Policy are sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship or domestic violence, and stalking. Northeastern’s Title IX policy applies to its entire community including students, faculty and staff.

Title IX related experiences are extremely difficult to navigate for all parties. The Office for University Equity and Compliance will support you with compassion and equity while respecting your privacy. Please reach out to the Title IX office via email here titleix@northeastern.edu.

If you, or anyone you know, experience any form of sexual misconduct, you may report to any of the following areas:

Assistant Vice President for University Equity and Compliance & Title IX Coordinator: Mark Jannoni, m.jannoni@northeastern.edu or titleix@northeastern.edu The Office for University Equity and Compliance, Richards Hall 125, Phone: (617) 373-3543

>> The Title IX Coordinator is charged with investigating and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. The Office for University Equity and Compliance understands the sensitivity surrounding your decision to report and their goal is to empower you by making you aware of your rights, available support resources and options through the University reporting processes. 

NUPD: Emergency (617) 373 – 3333; Non-Emergency (617) 373 – 2121

>> NUPD can escort the affected party to a local hospital, provide full investigation of reports by specially trained officers, offer information about criminal prosecution and University disciplinary alternatives and offer assistance in obtaining a Harassment Protection Order, No Contact Order, and/or Restraining Order through the appropriate system.

Note: Reporting sexual misconduct to NUPD does NOT commit the affected party to future legal action. 

Please visit www.northeastern.edu/ouec/ for a complete list of your reporting options and resources, both on and off-campus, and the most up to date policies. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHANGES MAY BE MADE AT ANY POINT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Northeastern University is committed to promoting a safe and healthy environment for all members of the community and to preventing hazing before it occurs, and/or providing appropriate remedial action in instances when hazing does occur. 

Northeastern University strictly prohibits any action taken or situation created, whether voluntary or involuntary, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization, which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, creates risk of injury, causes mental or physical fatigue or distress, discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, ridicule, or intimidation, causes damage to or destruction of property, or which is a violation of law, University policy, or the Code of Student Conduct. 

Such activities include, but are not limited to: striking another student by hand or with any instrument; requiring or advocating for alcohol or other drug use; late sessions/meetings that interfere with academic activities; tattooing, branding, or piercing; physical or psychological shocks; wearing of apparel in public that is embarrassing, humiliating, or degrading; or games/activities causing or resulting in fatigue, sleep deprivation, mental distress, panic, embarrassment, or humiliation. Activities that would not be considered hazing and therefore acceptable would include agreeing to: maintain a specific GPA, comply with a dress code for a team/organizational function, participate in volunteer community service, participate in a team/organizational trip, take an oath, or sign a contract of standards. 

If you believe you have witnessed or experienced hazing, you are strongly encouraged to report instances of such behavior. You can submit this information online with the Northeastern Hazing Reporting Form found on Northeastern University Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) website.

You can also report allegations of hazing or information relating to instances of hazing to any of the following offices:

Center for Student Involvement (CSI)
434 Curry Student Center
nucsi@northeastern.edu
(617) 373-2642

Housing and Residential Life (ResLife)
4 Speare Commons
housing@northeastern.edu
(617) 373-2814

Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR)
204 Ell Hall
osccr@northeastern.edu
(617) 373-4390

Northeastern University Police Department (NUPD)
Columbus Place Suite 100
Emergency line: (617) 373-3333
Non-emergency line: (617) 373-2121

The University will not tolerate retaliation against any person who in good faith makes a report of hazing. Any person who retaliates directly or indirectly against a victim, witness, person reporting hazing, a respondent and/or charged party, or any person involved in any aspect of a complaint or resolution of an allegation of hazing will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination (if an employee) or expulsion (if a student).

Upon receiving such information, an investigation into the allegation will commence. Any information gathered that supports a claim of hazing will be forwarded to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) for resolution consistent with its procedures for dealing with such complaints. Violations of the Code of Student Conduct are handled and/or overseen by the OSCCR.

Student Organizations are required to review and understand this Hazing (Chapter 269, Massachusetts General Laws)

Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $3,000 or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment. 

The term ‘hazing’ as used in this section, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping; beating; branding; forced calisthenics; exposure to weather; forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug, or other substance; or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.

Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.