To stay in line with a federal law, Jamestown Community College Board of Trustees Tuesday approved a Stop Campus Hazing policy.

The policy was created to prevent hazing activities within Jamestown Community College (JCC) and to comply with the Stop Campus Hazing Act. The policy aims to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students.

“This was developed in response to legislation under the Biden administration that requires all colleges to have a stop-hazing policy,” said JCC Human Resources Director Nickey Riczker. “The language that’s contained here is essentially what we were dictated to include in the form of a policy.”

According to stophazing.org, the act improves hazing reporting and prevention on college campuses. This evidence-informed law is supported by national campus safety experts, national fraternity and sorority trade associations, and the parents of hazing victims.

The act, the site said, improves hazing reporting by requiring colleges to include hazing incidents in their Annual Security Report; prevents hazing by establishing campus-wide, research-based hazing education and prevention programs; and help students and their parents make informed decisions about joining organizations on campus by requiring colleges to publish on their websites the institution’s hazing prevention policies and the organizations that have violated them.

JCC’s policy states that “Hazing is abusive, degrading, psychologically damaging, and may be life-threatening. It is unacceptable in all forms and has no place at JCC. Student groups, organizations, and athletic teams are important contributors to a vibrant and positive campus life and are expected to act in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and to treat others with respect.”

The college’s policy further states that by individuals and student organizations in any form is prohibited at JCC. It includes hazing activities conducted on or off-campus, in non-campus buildings or property, and on public property associated with the institution.

When a hazing report is filed, JCC will investigate it diligently and thoroughly in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. If a student or group is found to be in violation of the policy, disciplinary actions may include suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate sanctions.

In other business:

Trustees approved a two percent salary increase for JCC’s non-represented employees, excluding vice presidents, deans, and executive directors. The increase went into effect Sept. 1.

Trustees approved amending board by-laws. In August trustees approved the first reading of their by-laws which would amend, specifically, Article IV (officers), subsection B.

The article stated “The officers of the board shall be elected in odd numbered years at the board’s first meeting of the fiscal year for a term of two years. The officers shall not be eligible for re-election to more than three successive terms without a lapse of at least one year between the time of prior service.”

Board Attorney Dana Lundberg said in August, instead of six years, officers may serve for additional two years, making the total eight years.

The office seats are chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, and finance and audit committee chairperson.