Anti-Hazing Report

Posted August 1, 2025

Act 80 of 2018
The General Assembly of PA Title 18, Chapter, Senate Bill #1090
Gwynedd Mercy University Report
Academic Years: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25

This report is published in accordance with Act 80 of 2018, the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-hazing Law, Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § 2809 et seq. and will be published on the Gwynedd Mercy University website. This law defines hazing, gives examples of prohibited behavior, and sets parameters concerning penalties for violators. The report must contain violations reported to the institution for the previous five years and be publicly accessible on the institution’s internet website biannually by January 1 and August 1st.

A copy of the Gwynedd Mercy University policy prohibiting hazing, as required under Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § 2808 can be found within the student handbook on page 54:

2801. Definitions

"Campus security officer." An employee of an institution of higher education charged with
maintaining the safety and security of the property of the institution and the individuals on the property.

"Institution of higher education." or "Institution." An institution located within this Commonwealth authorized to grant an associate or higher academic degree.

"Organization." Any of the following: (1) A fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club or service, social or similar group, whose members are primarily minors, students or alumni of the organization, an institution or secondary school. (2) A national or international organization with which a fraternity or sorority or other organization as enumerated under paragraph (1) is affiliated.

2802. Hazing

(a) Offense defined - A person commits the offense of hazing if the person intentionally,
knowingly or recklessly, for the purpose of initiating, admitting or affiliating a minor or student into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing a minor or student's membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces or forces a minor or student to do any of the following:

(1) Violate Federal or State criminal law.

(2) Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the minor
or student to a risk of emotional or physical harm.

(3) Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements.

(4) Endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment.

(5) Endure brutality of a sexual nature.

(6) Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the minor or
student.

(b) Grading

(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), hazing is a summary offense.

(2) Hazing shall be a misdemeanor of the third degree if it results in or creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the minor or student.

(c) Limitation - Hazing shall not include reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement or military training, contests, competitions or events.

2803. Aggravated Hazing

(a) Offense defined. A person commits the offense of aggravated hazing if the person commits a
violation of section 2802 (relating to hazing) that results in serious bodily injury or death to the minor or student. and:

(1) the person acts with reckless indifference to the health and safety of the minor or student; or

(2) the person causes, coerces or forces the consumption of an alcoholic liquid or drug by the minor or student.

(b) Grading. Aggravated hazing shall be a felony of the third degree.

 

2809. Institutional Reports

(a) Maintenance. An institution shall maintain a report of all violations of the institution's anti-
hazing policy or Federal or State laws related to hazing that are reported to the institution.

(b) Contents. The report shall include all of the following:

(1) The name of the subject of the report.

(2) The date when the subject was charged with a violation of the institution's anti-hazing policy or Federal or State laws related to hazing.

(3) A general description of the violation, any investigation and findings by the institution and, if applicable, penalties.

(4) The date on which the matter was resolved.

(c) Initial report. This section shall apply beginning with the 2021 - 2025 academic year. The initial report shall include information concerning violations that have been reported to the institution for the five consecutive years prior to the effective date of this section to the extent the institution has retained information concerning the violations.

(d) Personal identifying information. The report shall not include the personal identifying information of an individual.

(e) Time. An institution shall post an initial report required under this section on its publicly accessible Internet website.

(f) Update. An institution shall update the report biannually on January 1 and August 1 and shall post the updated report on its publicly accessible Internet website. (g) Duration. An institution shall retain reports for five years.

Hazing Policy

Gwynedd Mercy University prohibits any hazing by any University recognized, unrecognized or sanctioned organization, student, or person associated with such organizations that creates substantial risk of physical injury, mental harm or degradation.

Hazing is defined as: any action or situation that recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally endangers a student’s mental or physical health or safety, or that willfully destroys or removes public or private property for initiation or membership purposes. Organizations or individuals found responsible for hazing may face disciplinary action by the University and criminal charges under the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law.

The following are non-exhaustive examples of unacceptable behavior:

Harassing others, destroying property, simulating sexual acts, emotional, verbal or physical abuse, yelling or cursing at teammates, being forced to wear embarrassing clothing, being forced to act as servants to other players, and forced participation in alcohol-related functions. “any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. This does not include activities such as rookies carrying the balls, team parties with community games, or going out with your teammates, unless an atmosphere of humiliation, degradation, abuse or danger arises.”

The University enforces a strict anti-hazing mandate, and any student or organization found responsible for hazing will face disciplinary sanctions, including possible suspension or expulsion.

Incidents of Hazing can be reported to Public Safety at 215-641-5522 or anonymously via online form.

Findings

January 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025

There are no violations of hazing for January 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025.

 

August 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

There are no violations of hazing for August 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024.

 

January 1, 2024 - July 31, 2024

There are no violations of hazing for January 1, 2024 - July 31, 2024.

  

January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023

There are no violations of hazing for January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023.

 

January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022

There are no violations of hazing for January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022.

 

January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021

There are no violations of hazing for January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021.

 

July 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

There are no violations of hazing for July 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020.