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Hazing Prevention

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA)

Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) is committed to fostering a safe and respectful campus environment. In accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), which was signed into law December 23, 2024, PPSC has created this page to publicly disclose hazing policies and incidents.

SCHA Definitions

Hazing is 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.

A student organization is an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
Rampart Range Atrium
Centennial campus atrium

PPSC Hazing Policies and Procedures

Hazing is strictly prohibited at all times on PPSC campuses, noncampus property (as defined in the Clery Act), and during PPSC off-campus activities (e.g., sports, academic competitions, travel, etc.).

Hazing is a violation of the Code of Student Behavioral Expectations and Responsibilities as outlined in CCCS System Procedure SP 4-30a, Student Behavioral Expectations and Responsibilities Resolution Procedure, which defines hazing as:

…an act that endangers the psychological, emotional, intellectual, and/or physical health and/or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group, team, or organization. Additionally, any act that places a student in a subservient role within an organization is considered hazing. Participation or consensual cooperation by the individual(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent, failing to discourage, and failing to report those acts may also violate this code.

Employees may violate the Code of Conduct (CCCS Board Policy BP 3-70, Ethics), the prohibition against bullying and violent behavior (CCCS Board Policy BP 19-10), or other workplace policies, procedures, or protocols by engaging in acts that constitute hazing under the applicable legal definitions.

Hazing is also prohibited under federal law and Colorado state law.

Process for Investigating Hazing Incidents

Any allegations of hazing that involve an allegation that the individual has engaged in any discriminatory or harassing behavior based upon a protected class or category listed in CCCS Board Policy BP 19-60, Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation, will be investigated using the process set forth in CCCS System Procedure SP 19-60a, Civil Rights and Sexual Harassment Resolution Process. For allegations of hazing that are not based upon a protected class or category, the applicable process depends upon the status of the individual accused of hazing. Board Policies (BP) and System Procedures (SP) are available at https://cccs.edu/about/governance/policies-procedures/.

  • For accused students, investigations will follow the process set forth in CCCS System Procedure SP 4-30a, Student Behavioral Expectations and Responsibilities Resolution Procedure.
  • For employees, allegations of hazing are investigated and resolved using the process applicable to allegations of any other behavioral misconduct, which includes an investigation by PPSC Human Resource Services.
  • For faculty, investigations and any subsequent action will also be in compliance with CCCS Board Policy BP 3-20, Due Process for Faculty.
  • For classified employees, investigations and any subsequent action will also be in compliance with the applicable State Personnel Rules and Regulations: https://www.colorado.gov/spb.
4 students studying around a table

How to Report Hazing

If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed hazing, please report it immediately.

PPSC Campus Hazing Transparency Report

In accordance with SCHA requirements, PPSC will publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR) on this website if the College finds that a student organization violated the institution’s conduct standards related to hazing. This report will include only incidents that were investigated and found to violate the College’s hazing policy.

There have been no violations of hazing policies at PPSC during the following time periods:

Hazing Incident Statistics in the PPSC ASR

The PPSC Campus Police Department began collecting statistics on hazing incidents beginning January 1, 2025. These statistics will be included in the 2026 Annual Security Report (ASR).

Unlike the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, which requires reporting of cases where a finding of hazing has been made, the ASR requires institutions to report on all incidents reported, including where a finding was not substantiated.

The PPSC ASR is posted on the college website at: https://www.pikespeak.edu/administration-operations/campus-police/security-reports.php

Hazing Prevention and Awareness

PPSC provides hazing prevention and awareness information during new employee orientations, student internship briefings (excluding nursing programs) and student overnight travel briefings. Hazing is addressed in the Student Behavioral Expectations and Responsibilities, which is covered during new student orientation.

Information presented includes PPSC policies on hazing, how to report hazing, investigation processes and laws related to hazing, and primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before hazing occurs. These strategies include, but are not limited to:

Additionally, PPSC offers hazing prevention and awareness events and activities throughout the year, such as during the annual wellness fair. All events are open to students, staff, and faculty.

student walking up stairs

Bystander Intervention

Bystander Intervention is recognizing a potentially harmful situation or interaction and choosing to respond in a way that could positively influence the outcome. Here are tips for safely helping when you witness a problematic or potentially problematic situation:

Bystander intervention is safely and effectively stepping in to help when you see a situation that is harmful or where someone may need support. Being an active bystander starts with noticing warning signs and making the decision to act. Here are some helpful tips.

  • Identify Hazing: Understand what hazing looks like and the potential harms it can cause.
  • Recognize that it is a problem: Understand that hazing is harmful and not just “roughhousing” or “harmless fun.”

  • Understand the consequences: Recognize that hazing can have serious consequences for victims, perpetrators, and organizations.
  • Believe you can make a difference: Understand that even small actions can have a big impact. 

  • Direct intervention: Address the hazing behavior directly, expressing your concern and asking them to stop.
  • Distraction: Change the subject or create a distraction to interrupt the hazing activity.
  • Delegation: If you're not comfortable intervening directly, ask for help from a friend or a campus authority.
  • Documentation: Take notes, pictures, or videos of the incident to help with reporting, but only if it is safe to do so. 

  • Prioritize your own safety: If you feel unsafe, don't put yourself at risk. Get help from others or report the incident.
  • Seek support: Talk to a friend or campus official if you're unsure about how to intervene or need support after witnessing hazing. 

  • Report to the Appropriate Authorities: See previous section “How to Report Hazing.”
  • Report Anonymously: See previous section “How to Report Hazing.” 

  • Increased transparency: The Act requires institutions to disclose hazing incidents, making it clear that hazing will not be tolerated.
  • Accountability: The Act holds organizations and individuals accountable for hazing, which can deter future incidents.
  • Prevention: By promoting bystander intervention and transparency, the Act aims to create a campus culture where hazing is less likely to occur.

Additional Resources: