News
Youngstown State University is tightening its anti-hazing policy with new language aimed at making reporting expectations clearer and broader.
9 hrs 28 mins ago
Updated:
9 hrs 25 mins ago
By Madison Tromler
YOUNGSTOWN - Youngstown State University is tightening its anti-hazing policy with new language aimed at making reporting expectations clearer and broader.
Administrators said even small changes in wording carry weight.
The policy now replaces the word “violations” with “allegations” in the hazing section that discusses which individuals are required to report any potential hazing incidents and when.
The clarification is meant to ensure there's no confusion among all people who work at YSU that hazing concerns are to be reported immediately if there is any suspicion or knowledge of an incident.
“What we wanted from a messaging standpoint is for everybody to understand that everything needs to be reported,” said YSU Title IX Coordinatorand Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and Human Resources Dana Lantz, “We just wanted to avoid any confusion.”
The changes also expand the understanding of responsibility for reporting any alleged hazing.
Where reporting language before focused mainly on staff and coaches, the revised policy wording now applies to administrators, employees, faculty, teachers, consultants, alumni and volunteers.
Reports are directed to law enforcement, YSU police and the student conduct office.
“Sometimes volunteers or alumni may not fully understand when they’re working with our students that they’re subject to our policies in the same way,”Lantz said, “We are including that language because everybody here has a duty and a responsibility to our students to make sure things get reported.”
University leaders said the updates are not tied to a specific incident but are part of ongoing efforts to keep policies current.
Allegations can also be submitted anonymously through YSU’s online reporting system.
