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Hazing Prevention

University Policy

Background: 

On November 12, 2019, Sam Martinez, a first-year student attending Washington State University in Pullman, WA, died of alcohol poisoning in a fraternity hazing incident. The fraternity he pledged was found to have engaged in multiple instances of hazing behavior throughout the semester.  

Jolayne Houtz and Hector Martinez, Sam’s parents, pushed the state of Washington to adopt a stronger anti-hazing law. Through their tireless work, Washington State passed a stronger anti-hazing law, known as Sam’s Law, in March 2022. Governor Jay Inslee signed it into law later that month.  

On a national level, the Stop Campus Hazing Act was introduced into the House of Representatives in September 2023. In September 2024, the House passed the act, which was then referred to the Senate for further discussion. The Senate passed the act in December 2024, and Former President Biden signed the act into law on December 23, 2024.  

The University of Washington must ensure compliance with both state and federal laws, but we are interested in achieving more than minimum compliance The University of Washington has been and continues to be a leader in hazing prevention efforts across the nation by establishing the Hazing Prevention and Response role, building multiple coalitions across the country, and through strategic partnerships with stakeholders in the UW system and beyond.  

Definition of Hazing: 

The State of Washington has defined hazing as …”any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological 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, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.” (RCW 28B.10.900) [2022 c 209 s 1; 1993 c 514 s 1.] 

Hazing Policy: 

In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, this website links all relevant policies and procedures together in a single location. It serves as the hazing policy for the University of Washington. 

How to Report:  

The University of Washington provides multiple methods to report hazing concerns or allegations. You are encouraged to submit a report as soon as you are aware of or have experienced the alleged behavior.  

Tips for reporting: 

  • If in doubt, report it!
  • Reporters can remain anonymous
  • Provide as much details as possible
  • Upload evidence (i.e., pictures, screenshots)

Employees of UW, including student employees, and volunteers that have a reasonable cause to believe that hazing has occurred should report it to the appropriate campus official or office. “Reasonable cause” could mean that you have witnessed hazing, or you received a credible written or oral report alleging hazing or potential or planned hazing activity (RCW 28B.10.907).  

The University encourages community members, parents, families, and other stakeholders to report their concerns so we can review and determine whether the organization or athletic team has engaged in hazing behavior.  

Online: https://washington-advocate.symplicity.com/public_report/index.php/pid126206?  

UW Police Department: 206-685-8973 

Email: nohazing@uw.edu or cssc@uw.edu  

In partnership with RealResponse, the University has engaged in a text option for stakeholders to report hazing anonymously, while allowing for continued engagement between the Hazing Prevention and Response Team and the reporter. The Student Technology Fee funds this resource.

Text: 206-203-3435

Process of Hazing Investigation:  

On behalf of the University of Washington, the Office of Community Standards & Student Conduct (CSSC) on Seattle’s campus is responsible for leading investigations of hazing allegations for all three campuses. Using guidelines established by the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA) Fraternity & Sorority Life Community of Practice, CSSC has established a robust investigation and adjudication process for hazing violations based on the organization type, athletic team, campus, or other nuances.  

This is a test of tabs
  1. Stakeholders submit a report to the university.  
  2. The Hazing Prevention and Response Specialist is assigned to the case.  
  3. The Hazing Prevention and Response Specialist completes an intake meeting and/or fact gathering to determine next steps: 
    1. Option A – Not moving forward due to insufficient of information/evidence  
    2. Option B – Moving forward to open an investigation (see below for Step 2) 
  1. Notice of investigation is sent to the organization’s leadership 
  2. Notice of interviews is sent to the impacted parties/witnesses/victims 
  3. Interviews with impacted parties 
  4. Following the interviews of impacted parties, the Hazing Prevention Response Specialist will determine if there’s enough information to charge the organization for a violation of the Conduct Code regarding hazing.  
    1. Option A – No charge(s) towards the organization due to insufficient information/evidence 
    2. Option B – Charge(s) (see below for Step 3) 
  1. Notice of charges/violations is sent to the organization leadership
  2. Conduct officer conducts an investigative interview with student leadership
  3. Following the investigative interview, the conduct officer will determine whether the organization has violated the Conduct Code by utilizing the preponderance of evidence standard (utilized in civil cases; “the proof need only show that the facts are more likely to be that not so”)
    1. Option A – Preponderance is not met, thus the organization will be found not responsible for hazing
    2. Option B – Preponderance is met, thus the organization will be found responsible for hazing and will be issued the appropriate sanction

Each student organization is provided the opportunity to appeal against the decision of their case, and will follow the appropriate appeal procedures. To view registered student organizations and the appeal process, click here. Social fraternities and sororities’ appeal procedures are outlined in the Recognition Agreement between the university and organizations that elect to participate. To view the Recognition Agreement, click here.    

Throughout the entire process, Community Standards & Student Conduct and the Hazing Prevention Response Specialist are engaged with campus partners and stakeholders on the status of the investigation. 

 

Awareness Policy:  

The University of Washington has comprehensive education and awareness programs for students and employees on hazing awareness and prevention, and how to report a concern.  

Students  

Hazing prevention education is required for all incoming students to complete during their orientation. (RCW 28B.10.904) 

The required training program, Hazing Prevention 101: College Edition™, is contracted through AliveTek to meet the requirements of state and federal law. For additional information, please visit: https://prevent.zone/hazing-prevention/#products 

In addition to the required education for all incoming students, the University of Washington has developed augmented hazing prevention workshops for student organizations, athletic teams, living groups, and more. Each program explores hazing and its prevention with greater nuance. For additional information, please visit: https://www.washington.edu/hazingprevention/campus-programming/  

Employees 

Hazing prevention education is required for all employees who receive wages from the institution and are in direct ongoing contact with students in a supervisory role or position of authority. (RCW 28B.10.907)  

The required training program, Hazing Prevention: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility™, is contracted through AliveTek to meet the requirements of state and federal law. For additional information, please visit: https://prevent.zone/hazing-prevention/#products 

While the law only requires training for employees who are in “…direct ongoing contact with students in a supervisory role or position of authority” (RCW 28.10B.907), the University of Washington has taken an expanded approach, and we require that all employees complete the training on an annual basis. 

Contact: 

Office of Community Standards & Student Conduct 

David C. Hall Building 303 | Seattle’s Campus 

206.685.1964 | nohazing@uw.edu  

Resources: 

Long, N. T. (1985). The standard of proof in student disciplinary cases. Journal of College and University Law, 12(1), 71-78. 

 Sam’s law act, RCW 28B.10 § 900 et seq. (2022) 

University of Virginia’s Gordie Center. (n.d.). Sam Martinez. Sam Martinez | The Gordie Center. https://gordie.studenthealth.virginia.edu/connect/memorials/sam-martinez 

 

Last Updated: Friday, August 8, 2025