Washington State Hazing Definition, Prohibition, and Penalty

Definition: RCW 28B.10.900

"As used in RCW 28B.10.901 and 28B.10.902, "hazing" includes 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."

Prohibition & Penalty: RCW 28B.10.901

Oregon State Hazing Definition, Prohibition, and Penalty

Prohibition: Hazing is prohibited by Oregon Revised Statute 163.197, which states:

 “(1) A student organization or a member of a student organization commits the offense of hazing if, as a condition or precondition of attaining membership in the organization or of attaining any office or status in the organization, the organization or member intentionally hazes any member, potential member or person pledged to be a member of the organization. (2)(a) A student organization that violates subsection (1) of this section commits a Class A violation. (b) A member of a student organization who personally violates subsection (1) of this section commits a Class B violation. (3) Consent of the person who is hazed is not a defense in a prosecution under this section.”

Definitions: Oregon law defines hazing as follows:

“(4) As used in this section: (a) ”Haze" means: (A) To subject an individual to whipping, beating, striking, branding or electronic shocking, to place a harmful substance on an individual’s body or to subject an individual to other similar forms of physical brutality; (B) To subject an individual to sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space or other similar activity that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual; (C) To compel an individual to consume food, liquid, alcohol, controlled substances or other substances that subject the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual; or (D) To induce, cause or require an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing." ORS 163.197(4)(a). 

Oregon law defines “member” for the purposes of this statute as including “volunteers, coaches, and faculty advisers of a student organization.” ORS 163.197(4)(b). 

Oregon law defines “student organization” as a “fraternity, sorority, athletic team or other organization that is organized or operating on a college, university or elementary or secondary school campus for the purpose of providing members an opportunity to participate in student activities of the college3, university or elementary or secondary school.” ORS 163.197(4)(c). 

 

 

The Stop Campus Hazing Act - Definitions

The “Stop Campus Hazing Act” is a United States federal law that amends Section 485(f)(6)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A). The law defines hazing and requires institutions of higher education to provide more transparency regarding verified hazing incidents and regular training and education to students and employees. 

Hazing Definition: "(vi) The term ‘hazing’, for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents under paragraph (1)(F)(iv), means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that— (I) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and (II) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—(aa) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; (bb) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; (cc) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; (dd) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; (ee) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; (ff) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and (gg) any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.” (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(vi))

Student Organization Definition: “The term ‘student organization’, for purposes of reporting under paragraph (1)(F)(iv) and paragraph (9)(A), means an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.” (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(vii))

What are some examples of hazing?

Examples of actions and activities which may constitute hazing include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Compelling individuals to consume alcohol or drugs.
• Compelling individuals to engage in sexual behaviors, sexual or racial harassment or
• Compelling individuals to eat or drink unusual substances or compelling the consumption of undue amounts or odd preparations of food.
• Having harmful substances thrown at, poured on or otherwise applied to the bodies of individuals.
• Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities which make an individual the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation.
• Transporting individuals against their will, abandoning individuals at distant locations, or conducting any “kidnap,” “ditch” or “road trip” that may in any way endanger or compromise the health, safety, or comfort of any individual.
• Requiring an individual to remain in a fixed position for a long period of time.
• Compelling an individual to be branded or tattooed.
• “Line-ups” involving intense shouting of obscenities or insults.
• Compelling individuals to participate in activities (pranks, scavenger hunts, etc.) which encourage the defacement of property; engage in theft; harass other individuals, groups of individuals or organizations.
• Compelling an individual to engage in acts of personal servitude.

What are signs that someone may be experiencing hazing?

Hazing can take many forms and may impact people differently. It can sometimes be difficult to tell if someone is being hazed. 

Signs that someone is being hazed may include:

• Sudden change in behavior or attitude when trying to join or after joining the organization/group;
• Wanting to leave the organization/group with no real explanation;
• Sudden decrease in communication with friends and family;
• Physical or psychological exhaustion;
• Unexplained weight loss;
• Unexplained injuries or illness;
• Change in sleeping or eating habits;
• Withdrawal from normal activities;
• Expressed feeling of sadness or feeling of worthlessness;
• Increase in secrecy and unwillingness to share details.

How do I report suspected hazing incidents?

There are several ways to report hazing or suspected hazing incidents. 

1. If the situation is an emergency, call 911 immediately. Do not wait to get help.
2. You can submit an online report using WWU's online student conduct reporting form. Be as detailed as you can when filling out the form, as this will help WWU respond appropriately.
3. You can contact the VP of Student Life or the Dean of Students directly via phone, email, or in-person.
4. You can call WWU Campus Security at (509) 527-2222. This is a 24-hour line.
5. You can tell a WWU faculty or staff member. All WWU employees are required to report suspected hazing incidents.