Hazing

University of Washington Policy on Hazing
Washington State Laws on Hazing
University of Washington Student Conduct Code
University of Washington General Conduct Code
 

University of Washington Policy on Hazing

The University of Washington prohibits student organizations and their members from engaging individually or collectively in hazing activities.  Hazing is defined as any activity that includes one or more of the characteristics described below.

• Activities that expose personal values to compromise or ridicule.
• Stunts which have no meaningful relationship to the objectives of the organization.
• Activities that abuse the trust an organization is striving to build between its members and prospective members.
• Activities that humiliate or subject individuals to circumstances with which they are not comfortable, or of which they are fearful.
• Activities which are illegal or violate University policy.
• Activities which interfere with academic pursuits or normal life functions.

Some examples of prohibited activities are forced swallowing of uncommon substances, forced consumption of alcohol or drugs, excessive exercise and sleep or sensory deprivation.

Questions or complaints regarding hazing may be referred to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director of Student Activities and Union Facilities or the University Ombudsman.  Student organizations whose members participate in hazing activities will be subject to appropriate University disciplinary actions.

May 13, 1987
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
 

Washington State Laws on Hazing

RCW 28B.10.900  "Hazing" defined.

As used in RCW 28B.10.901 and 28B.10.902, "hazing" includes any method of initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a public or private institution of higher education or other postsecondary educational institution in this state. "Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.  [1993 c 514 § 1.]
 

RCW 28B.10.901  Hazing prohibited--Penalty.

(1) No student, or other person in attendance at any public or private institution of higher education, or any other postsecondary educational institution, may conspire to engage in hazing or participate in hazing of another.

(2) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor, punishable as provided under RCW 9A.20.021.

(3) Any organization, association, or student living group that knowingly permits hazing is strictly liable for harm caused to persons or property resulting from hazing.  If the organization, association, or student living group is a corporation whether for profit or nonprofit, the individual directors of the corporation may be held individually liable for damages.  [1993 c 514 § 2.]
 

RCW 28B.10.902  Participating in or permitting hazing--Loss of state-funded grants or awards--Loss of official recognition or control--Rules.

(1) A person who participates in the hazing of another shall forfeit any entitlement to state-funded grants, scholarships, or awards for a period of time determined by the institution of higher education.

(2) Any organization, association, or student living group that knowingly permits hazing to be conducted by its members or by others subject to its direction or control shall be deprived of any official recognition or approval granted by a public institution of higher education.

(3) The public institutions of higher education shall adopt rules to implement this section. [1993 c 514 § 3.]
 

University of Washington Student Conduct Code

WAC 478-120-020 Standards of Conduct...

 (3) Specific instances of misconduct include, but are not limited to:

 (i) Hazing, or conspiracy to engage in hazing, which includes:
 
(i) Any method of initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization or living group, that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending the University; and

(ii) Conduct associated with initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to an organization or living group not amounting to a violation of (i)(i) of this subsection, but including such conduct as humiliation by ritual act and sleep deprivation. Consent is no defense to hazing. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions;

WAC 478-120-040 Disciplinary Sanctions

The following disciplinary sanctions may be imposed for violations of the Student Conduct Code:

(1) Disciplinary Warnings and Reprimands-Action may be taken to warn or to reprimand a student for violation of University rules, regulations, procedures, policies, standards of conduct, or orders. Warnings and reprimands must always be made in writing and shall include a statement that continuation or repetition of the specific conduct or other misconduct will normally result in one or more of the more serious disciplinary sanctions: restitution, disciplinary probation, suspension, or dismissal.

(2) Restitution-An individual student may be required to make restitution for damage or other loss of property and for injury to persons. Failure to pay, or to make in writing University-approved arrangements to pay, will result in cancellation of the student's registration and will prevent the student from registering with the University.

(3) Disciplinary Probation-A student may be placed on disciplinary probation (meaning formal conditions are imposed on a student's continued attendance) for violation of University rules, regulations, procedures, policies, standards of conduct, or orders. The time period and conditions, if any, for the disciplinary probation shall be specified. Disciplinary probation serves as a warning to a student that further misconduct will raise the question of suspension or dismissal from the University.

(4) Suspension-A student may be suspended from the University for violation of University rules, regulations, procedures, policies, standards of conduct, or orders. The time period and conditions, if any, for the suspension shall be specified. Suspension serves as a warning to a student that further misconduct will raise the question of dismissal from the University.

(5) Dismissal-A student's enrollment in the University may be terminated for violation of University rules, regulations, procedures, policies, standards of conduct, or orders.

(6) Forfeiture-In addition to other sanctions, a student who participates in hazing of another shall forfeit any entitlement to state funded grants, scholarships, or awards for a specified period of time.

(7) A suspension or dismissal is considered a serious sanction and will be imposed only after the completion of the formal due process review provided for in this code.
 

University of Washington General Conduct Code

WAC 478–124–037  Conduct on Campus — Hazing

All University organizations, associations and student living groups are prohibited from hazing.

 (1) Hazing includes:

(a) Any method of initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm to any student or other person attending the University; and

(b) Conduct associated with initiation into a student organization or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to an organization or living group not amounting to a violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section, but including such conduct as humiliation by ritual act and sleep deprivation.  Consent is no defense to hazing.  Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competition.
 

(2) Any University organization, association or student living group that knowingly permits hazing as defined in subsection (1) (a) of this section shall be deprived of official recognition or approval granted by the University.  Any University organization, association or student living group that knowingly permits hazing as defined in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be placed on probation for a period specified by the University.