The right to ask how and why and receive straight answers. The right to a positive, safe, and enriching rush and pledging experience. The practice of hazing, in any form, is strictly forbidden, and in fact, prohibited by state law. Bridgewater State College enthusiastically supports this law and joins with the national Greek organizations, which condemn this outdated and dangerous practice. Fraternities and sororities of the 1990s understand and support this position.
Legislative action makes the act of hazing unlawful in Massachusetts.
The following policy guidelines have been adopted at Bridgewater State College. Bridgewater State College shall issue to every group or organization under its authority or operating on or in conjunction with its campus or school, and to every member, plebe, pledge, or applicant for membership in such group or organization, a copy of this policy. An officer of each such group or organization, and each individual receiving a copy of this policy shall sign an acknowledgement stating that such group, organization or individual has received a copy of the hazing policy. Any individual who knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined above 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 herself, or others, report such crime to a member of the Student Activities Office or appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practical. An individual in an alleged violation of the hazing policy may not use consent as defense to any prosecution.