Middlesex Community College

Middlesex Community College does not tolerate any form of hazing. In compliance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Anti-Hazing Statute, Middlesex Community College annually provides each student with a copy of the state law and requires officers of student organizations to distribute a copy to all its members. This has been provided in this manual, the MCC Student Handbook, on Engage, and is also available in the Office of Student Engagement.

All student organizations are required to distribute copies of the Massachusetts’s Anti-Hazing Statute and review these policies with every member. If anyone has any questions regarding these policies, they should be discussed with a staff member of the Office of Student Engagement immediately.

Middlesex Community College disciplinary process will be applied in case of alleged hazing.

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS CHAPTER 269, SECTIONS 17, 18, 19:

Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing as defined herein shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The term “hazing” as used in this section or in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this act.

Section 18.Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen 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 others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

Section 19. Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution or post-secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team, or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirement that an institution issue copies of this section and seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations.

Each group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution and attested acknowledgment stating that such group, team or organization acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution and attested acknowledgment stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary education and public or private institution of post-secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full-time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary and each public or private institution of post-secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility in inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full-time student enrolled by it if the provisions of this section and section seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with the appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institutions policy to the students. The board of higher education and in the case of secondary education institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.

• When transportation is provided by the College and it is open to all MCC students (or if there is a student with disabilities in the group who requires accessible transportation), the organization must coordinate the planning of these needs through the Office of Student Engagement. Reasonable notification of at least 2 weeks before an event is necessary to secure appropriate arrangements.
• Whenever possible, avoid planning events on campus in spaces that are not easily accessible (i.e. Trustees House, South Academic, etc.).
• Advertising of an event that may not otherwise be accessible must have a statement indicating that appropriate accommodations for disabilities will be made, upon request, for students with disabilities. The following statement should appear on such publicity materials:
  • MCC is committed to providing equal access and accommodations to students with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability, please contact the Office of Student Engagement to request accommodations at least two weeks prior to the scheduled event at StudentEngagement@middlesex.mass.edu.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Organizations may not give out member information to anyone (including family members or other students).

When signing up for an organization or event, students must provide contact information that may be shared with other organization members. For this reason, the following disclosure statement must be on all sign-up forms to inform students and get their consent.

Purchasing a ticket and/or signing up for this event/organization may result in the use of your directory information by students and staff for providing information, reminders, advertising, or assessment purposes.

Students must adhere to State and Federal Laws as well as the Middlesex Student Code of Conduct in regard to alcohol and drugs. Students are not permitted to use student organization operating or fundraising funds towards alcohol, alcohol related expenses, or over-the-counter medication (such as Tylenol or Advil). The purchase of alcohol should not be on any organization dining transactions. No organization funds may be used to purchase alcohol, drugs, or alcohol/drug paraphernalia for any organization event or programming activity.

Students are not permitted to be in possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, or alcohol paraphernalia during the event or while in transit to and from the event destination.

The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on campus or at off-campus activities sponsored by a MCC student organization is prohibited by all participants regardless of age (including guests and community members).

All announcements, signs, posters, flyers, banners, etc. for organization-sponsored events must be stamped with an expiration date by the Office of Student Engagement. Organizations are responsible for hanging and removing their own materials in a timely manner (within 2 days of expiration date).

The OSE supplies may be available for official organization use at the discretion of the Director of Student Engagement & Retention. All poster or flyer designs must be sent to StudentEngagement@middlesex.mass.edu at least two weeks prior to the event for approval.

Organization activities and programs may be publicized on the college calendar. Event details will be taken from Engage. To promote activities on the lobby TVs, information must be submitted to the Office of Student Engagement in a PowerPoint slide at least two weeks prior to the event.

Organizations are encouraged to promote their events on the MCC Mobile App. All posts should be linked to the event on Engage, and events cannot be solely organized through the app. Any events organized through the app and not in Engage will be considered non-organization events and will not be recognized by OSE as such.

All off-campus publicity must be coordinated through the Marketing & Communications Office via the Office of Student Engagement staff.

Items posted for organizations must relate directly to information and events sponsored by that group or the college and must follow the policies outlined below. The following guidelines govern the use of posters and flyers around campus. Violations of this policy may result in loss of posting privileges. All flyers must be officially stamped with an expiration date by the Office of Student Engagement.

• Flyers must be advertising MCC news and events only.
• Flyers may be posted only on bulletin boards. Postings are not allowed on doors, the surrounding glass, painted surfaces, elevators, bathrooms, etc.
• Flyers must be posted with staples (no thumb-tacks or tape).
• Flyers must not overlap other posted materials.
• All flyers must be 8.5x11 or smaller (exceptions made by OSE).
• Expiration date will be set no more than one month from the date of posting or day after event, whichever is sooner.
• The individual generating flyers is responsible for posting and removal.
• Flyers must be in English or be accompanied by an English translation.
• MCC contact information must be on the flyers.
• The College reserves the right to remove postings which have not been stamped for approval or which have been improperly posted.

The nature of a program determines whether or not MCC Public Safety or local police coverage is required. Inquiries about security requirements are to be made to the Office of Student Engagement. When required, the sponsoring organization may be required to pay for coverage. Services are usually required at least one half hour before the event is scheduled to begin, and one half hour after the event is scheduled to end.

Middlesex Community College student organizations have access to various equipment for use by students on OSE club trips or events. This equipment cannot be used for the personal use of students, faculty, staff, or other MCC community members. The equipment is owned by Middlesex Community College and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is subject to policies pertaining to its use.

The Office of Student Engagement has many items that clubs and organizations are able to sign out and use for various events including, but not limited to:

• Popcorn Machine
• Cotton Candy Machine
• 32’ Flat Panel TV
• Various Video Game systems
• 2 Kayaks

Check Out and Borrowing Process:

1. A club leader completes the Event Form in Engage for their event, indicating what equipment is being requested, date and time of use.
2. The Office of Student Engagement reviews request and verifies equipment is available and is part of an event for a registered MCC club or organization.
3. On the date agreed upon, club member will come to The Office of Student Engagement or other designated area to meet a member of The Office of Student Engagement or their designee to obtain the equipment.
   1. For some items, club members will need to complete additional forms pertaining to the equipment being borrowed.
4. Date and time of the return of the equipment is confirmed and collateral is taken, as needed.

It is the responsibility of all borrows to inspect equipment upon checkout to ensure it is in proper condition and contains all accessories – if damaged or missing parts are not identified upon checkout, it will be assumed to have occurred during the user’s possession. Borrowers are expected to return the equipment in the same condition they received it, aside from any expendable materials and normal wear and tear. If the equipment is returned in damaged or incomplete condition due to student neglect, or not returned at all, students will be charged appropriate replacement costs for the equipment, and subsequent borrowing and usage privileges will be suspended until charges have been billed.

As with all MCC events, the use of alcohol or drugs of any kind is prohibited during kayaking events.

When on a kayak, there are dangers from current, other traffic, and weather conditions. Please follow the following at all times and use common sense and safety when kayaking.

• Life vests must be worn by everyone when paddling kayaks, as stated in the Massachusetts State Boating Laws.
  • Students are responsible to acquire a life jacket that fits correctly for their use.
  • Life jackets must always be clipped and cinched tight to their body per jacket instructions.

• The use of kayaks is always weather permitting.
  • Kayaks cannot be used when the wind is gusting more than 15 mph.
  • Kayaks should not be used when there is a chance of lightning or during any precipitation.

Transporting Kayaks

Student groups transporting kayaks from campus have a few options:

• Loading onto a coach bus, which must be reserved by OSE staff:
  • Prior agreement must be made with the bus company for transport.
  • Kayaks cannot be loaded onto a school bus due to lack of access to egress.

• Kayak Trailer
• Students who own a trailer may transport MCC kayaks as specified by their trailer regulations and size.
• Strapped to a vehicle (car, truck)
  • The vehicle owner assumes all liability due to transporting kayaks on their vehicle.

See https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/transporting-kayak-canoe.html for more information about loading and transporting kayaks.

Before putting a kayak on top of your vehicle, you need only a handful of essentials:

• Crossbars: Crossbars run across the roof of your vehicle. Most crossbars attach to factory-installed bars that run front to back on your car, but this depends on your vehicle type. There are also crossbars that go in the bed of a truck.
• Rack/padding: Specific kayak rack systems that attach to the crossbars and cradle the boat in J- or V-shaped forms are most secure.
• Cam straps: Cam straps quickly and securely hold your kayak down. You’ll need two straps that are about 12 feet long or longer.
• Bow and stern lines: You can use a non-stretch, water-resistant rope (rope will vibrate less than nylon webbing), but special ratcheting lines make the job quick and easy. You usually need one line for the bow and one for the stern, though this can vary based on the length of your boat and your vehicle.

Loading Multiple Kayaks

If you have enough space, it’s possible to transport more than one kayak on top of your car. (Note: Make sure you have enough straps.) You can add another kayak to the top of your car by adding a second rack: By adding another rack to the crossbars, you may be able to transport a second kayak the same way as the first one, but it will depend on the width of your boats and your crossbars.