Hazing violates WSU’s community values, and there is zero tolerance for it. If you see or experience hazing, we are here to support you. There are several options for handling hazing:
Call out hazing behaviors in the moment if you feel safe doing so. Calling out hazing when you see it may stop the behavior immediately. It also acknowledges the distress or discomfort of victims and helps them leave the situation. You may not feel comfortable or safe calling out the behavior when you experience or witness it – that’s okay. When you’re in a safe space, please make a report.
Options for Reporting
- WSU Center for Community Standards
- - - select 'Hazing' drop down
- or local law enforcement
- A local/national chapter of the organization conducting the hazing.
If you or others are in immediate danger or in a situation that needs to be resolved right away, call 911.
What to include in your report:
- What happened?
- Who was involved?
- Was anyone else present to see what occurred?
- When/where did it occur?
- Were there any injuries?
- How did you become aware of the incident?
Even if you can't answer all the questions above, reporting any information is still helpful.
When hazing is reported—whether involving an individual student or an organization—the Center for Community Standards (CCS) is responsible for investigating the alleged misconduct.
For organizations, CCS will first review the report to determine appropriate next steps. Next steps may include:
- Contacting the reporting party for more information
- Requesting interviews with witnesses
- Issuing a formal notice of investigation
- Meeting with organizational leaders
- Communicating with chapter members
- Reaching out to national or international governing bodies
If the investigation finds evidence of hazing, the case moves to the resolution phase. Resolutions may occur through:
- Mutual agreement
- A conduct officer hearing
- A formal hearing
If the University determines that hazing occurred, the organization will lose its recognition status as a required consequence.
For individual students, CCS follows a similar process:
- The student is notified of the concern
- CCS investigates the reported behavior
- If warranted, the case proceeds to the resolution phase
Annual Hazing Prevention Training for WSU Employees
All WSU faculty and staff (including students, temp hourly, and graduate students) are required to complete the Hazing Prevention course within the first six months of hire, then annually afterward. Staff and faculty can .
The goal of these courses is to assist WSU in maintaining a safe and respectful working and learning environment. It defines hazing, identifies key WSU Executive Policies addressing these topics, gives examples of “look-fors” for managers when supervising staff, and provides links to resources available to help in cases of alleged hazing incidents. The training also highlights employee and supervisor responsibilities when hazing misconduct is reported or observed.
Current Student Training: Hazing and Hosting
All incoming and transfer students, undergraduate, graduate, and professional, on all WSU campuses must be made available a Hazing Prevention Course. Hazing & Hosting is a state-law-specific course that emphasizes personal responsibility for both hazing and social hosting as it relates to underage drinking. This course will help students identify the various forms of hazing that can occur and how and when to file a report.