Hazing Prevention and Response

The University of Washington prohibits student organizations and athletic teams from engaging individually or collectively in hazing activities.

Hazing includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation into, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime that is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student. This includes causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate (H.B. 1751).

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.
• Activities that abuse the trust an organization is striving to build between its members and prospective members.
• Stunts that have no meaningful relationship to the objectives of the organization.
• Activities that humiliate or subject individuals to circumstances with which they are not comfortable, or of which they are fearful.
• Activities that are illegal or violate University policy.
• Activities that 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.

Student organizations whose members participate in hazing activities will be subject to appropriate University disciplinary action.

Reporting Hazing

Please use our reporting tool to report an incident of hazing.

All employees and volunteers at the University of Washington, including student employees, are required to report hazing if, as a result of observations or information received in the course of employment or volunteer service, any employee has reasonable cause to believe that hazing has occurred. “Reasonable cause” means a person who witnesses hazing or receives a credible written or oral report alleging hazing or a potential or planned hazing activity. (RCW 28B.10.907)

Amnesty Policy

Current students have a responsibility to report hazing if they have reason to believe it is occurring. Per H.B. 1751 a person who witnesses hazing or has reasonable cause to believe hazing has occurred or will occur and makes a report in good faith may not be sanctioned or punished for the violation of hazing unless the person is directly engaged in the planning, directing, or act of hazing reported.

Anonymous Reporting

UW now offers anonymous reporting of student or organization misconduct for hazing behavior or incidents. You can text a report, including photos or videos, send an email, or use WhatsApp; your information will be confidential and anonymous. UW will not know your name, phone number/email address unless you share it with us.

Use a mobile device with SMS capabilities to text (206) 203-3435 to begin your anonymous report. A UW staff member will guide you through the anonymous reporting process during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you would like to meet with a staff member to consult on a matter, please contact CSSC at nohazing@uw.edu.

Student Organization Hazing Policy Violations

The University of Washington will maintain and publicly report findings of hazing violations by any student organization, athletic team, or living group. The report will include any violations of the code of conduct, anti-hazing policies, or state or federal laws relating to hazing or offenses related to alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, or physical assault. (RCW 28B.10.906)

The report should include the following information:

• The name of the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
• The date the investigation was initiated;
• The date on which the investigation ended with a finding that a violation occurred;
• A description of the incident or incidents, including the date of the initial violation, and the violations, findings, and sanctions placed on the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
• The details of the sanction or sanctions imposed, including the beginning and end dates of the sanction or sanctions; and
• The date the student organization, athletic team, or living group was charged with a violation.

The University of Washington has systems and procedures in place to represent the belief of shared governance with our student organizations. In the shared governance model, specific groups have oversight of their organizations to ensure they adhere to policies and procedures outlined in their bylaws.

Relating to our fraternities and sororities, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and National Panhellenic Council (NPC) have the responsibility to investigate and adjudicate cases of alleged misconduct by their organizations, including violations of alcohol, drugs, and physical assault. Therefore, the length of an investigation may be longer than usual due to the meeting schedule that is aligned with the academic calendar. Community Standards & Student Conduct (CSSC) maintains jurisdiction over the investigation of hazing allegations, and the Civil Rights Compliance Office maintains jurisdiction over investigations relating to Title IX and Title VI.

Any hazing, alcohol, drugs, physical or sexual assault violations of a student organization, athletic team, or living group should be made public for at least five years.

Hazing Prevention Education

Students and Employees

Students and employees: To access your required online training, please click HERE.

The University of Washington is required by law to provide hazing prevention education on the signs and dangers of hazing as well as the institution’s prohibition on hazing to students, faculty, and staff. In alignment with this requirement, the UW has developed several initiatives designed to provide hazing prevention education.

Parents and Community Members

Learn more about the University of Washington hazing prevention by watching the video below.

• Hazing Prevention Video Transcript
• Hazing Prevention Slide Deck
• Hazing Prevention Information Sheet