Hazing Investigations
D. Stafford & Associates (DSA) has a team of highly-skilled investigators whose experience prepares them to conduct independent investigations into allegations of hazing involving student organizations at colleges and universities. DSA can conduct investigations in-person or virtually.
DSA investigators are experienced in conducting investigations involving all types of alleged misconduct, including sex-based misconduct and civil rights issues involving both students and employees. DSA investigators specialize in conducting fair, thorough, and impartial investigations and are experienced with and attuned to the culture of higher education and the requirements of Title IX and the Clery Act.
DSA investigators can be retained to investigate other forms of misconduct and civil rights violations that are not related to hazing. You can learn more about our independent incident investigation services here.
Many institutions utilize DSA investigative services if they do not have a volume of cases sufficient to justify hiring and training an investigator. Alternatively, there are institutions that use DSA to supplement their current investigative staff due to high volume of complaints or a particularly complex incident. In other cases, institutions use DSA when they have a high-profile case, have an accusation of bias in their process and require an external investigator, or a complaint in which an actual or perceived conflict of interest is most effectively remedied by employing an outside, impartial, and seasoned investigative team. Investigative references are available upon request.
Hazing Training Classes
D. Stafford & Associates offers a national class on conducting investigations into allegations of Hazing. To learn more about this class, visit the Conducting Effective Hazing Investigations class page.
Hazing Training Classes for Institutions, Consortia, or Systems of Higher Education
D. Stafford & Associates provides live, virtual training classes for individual institutions of higher education as well as consortia or systems that wish to bring hazing-related training to their employees/members. DSA will suggest the involvement of various campus administrators, depending on the identified needs of the institution.
Class options include:
- Hazing Investigation Training
- Hazing Identification Training
- Prevention Strategies Training
DSA has numerous options for classes that can be offered for an individual institution or group. If a campus is having a specific challenge in with hazing-related incidents on campus and would like the training to focus on those areas, DSA can customize the training to fit the institution’s needs.
Hazing Policy and Procedure Review
D. Stafford & Associates can conduct an off-site review of the institution’s policies and procedures (often contained in the Code of Student Conduct) pertaining to the investigation and resolution of hazing allegations involving student organizations. Such reviews can be conducted as stand-alone reviews or in conjunction with a broader review of student conduct codes and processes.
DSA can also work with institutions to develop policies and procedures that are specific to investigating and adjudicating Hazing allegations involving student organizations. Policy Services always incorporate stakeholder input and aim to meet the unique needs of each institution.
Campus Hazing Transparency Report Review
D. Stafford & Associates will conduct an off-site review of the Campus Hazing Transparency Report. The review will include an assessment of the contents of the report and will include a review of the underlying student organization misconduct records related to Hazing. Reviewing these underlying records will allow DSA to evaluate whether all reportable findings have been accurately and completely reflected in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report.
As part of the Campus Hazing Transparency Report review, DSA will identify any missing, incomplete, or inaccurate elements. DSA will provide a written report that outlines any areas of concern or suggestions for improvement as well as a track-changed version of the institution’s Campus Hazing Transparency Report.