Hazing Information – Student Rights and Responsibilities

EWU is committed to fostering a campus culture where students, faculty and staff feel safe and an able to actively engage in opportunities on and off campus. As a result of this mission, there is no place for hazing at EWU and it is prohibited according to the EWU Student Conduct Code and Washington State Hazing Law.

A violation of this prohibition renders both the organization and participating individuals subject to discipline. Any student who is aware of or in the presence of hazing is also subject to discipline. If you or someone you know suspect hazing is occurring, please alert the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office at 509-359-6960 or email srr@ewu.edu so appropriate action can be taken.

Read the 2024 EWU Compliance Report Website.

Hazing is 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 at the university.

Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to, causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of the harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.
Students may be held responsible for participating in hazing and/or for conspiring to engage in hazing.
Student organizations, associations, athletic teams, or living groups that knowingly permit hazing to be conducted by its members or by others subject to its direction or control violate this rule.

the activity is not educational;
it does not represent the values of the group;
only select members are participating;
you do not feel like an equal member of the group;
it puts members at risk for physical, mental or emotional trauma;
or you would not feel comfortable having others witness your activity.

Appearance of mental exhaustion or withdrawal from normal lifestyle; change in personality
Appearance of physical exhaustion from multiple sit ups, exercise sessions, running, or other calisthenics
lack of communication
Avoiding sharing the experiences they’re having in the group
Claiming the experiences, they’re having in the group are acceptable because “it’s their tradition” or because “it’s a rite of passage for new members”
Decreased performance in school and other activities
Physical abnormalities like scars, bruising, broken bones, illness and other injuries
Weight loss
Anger, anxiety, depression and other emotional signs
Cancelling plans with friends or family at the last minute to do something with the group instead
An immense sense of loyalty to the group
Other irregular behavior patterns
Unexplained disappearances in the middle of the night
Required to complete a “chores” list or other mandatory task for a more senior member of the group
Required to “greet” other members in a specific manner when seen on campus
Required to participate in illegal activities
Mandatory carrying of certain items
Performance of special tasks for others

How to Prevent Hazing

Make your group aware of the dangers of hazing and its consequences
Educate all members on hazing, its signs, how to report it and ways to prevent it
Foster a safe, inclusive environment within your group by creating alternative group bonding and teamwork activities
Encourage members to report any signs of hazing
Take reports of hazing seriously and investigate them
Hold your members and leaders accountable if hazing arises. If a member knows hazing is occurring and fails to report it, they are just as responsible as those engaging in hazing

Bystander Intervention to Prevent or Stop Hazing

To help combat hazing and for the prevention efforts to be effective, the entirety of the campus has a role to play. There are various ways that an individual can intervene or disrupt the activities if they see someone at risk. An active bystander is someone who recognizes a questionable situation and chooses how to respond.

Five steps to an effective bystander intervention:

Identify the behavior that is happening
Interpret behavior as a problematic
Recognize responsibility
Acquire skills so that you can respond appropriately
Take action (direct, distract, delegate, discuss)

The key to keeping your friends and others safe is to learn how to intervene in a way that fits the situation and your comfort level. Having this knowledge on hand can give you the confidence to step in when something is not right. Intervening can make all the difference, but never be done in a way that will put your own safety at risk.

How to Report Hazing?
If you or another person is in immediate danger, call 911.

Hazing Incident Reporting Form

Contact the Student Rights and Responsibilities office at 509-359-6960 or email srr@ewu.edu

Additional On-Campus Resources	‎	‎
Counseling and Wellness Services	509.359.2366	cws@ewu.edu
EWU Sorority and Fraternity Office	509.359.6718	sfl@ewu.edu
EWU Police Department	509.359.6498	police@ewu.edu
Dean of Students Office	509.359.7852	dos@ewu.edu
Student Accommodations and Support Services	509.359.6871	sass@ewu.edu