Hazing

Laker Hands Don’t Haze

Wright State University recognizes that membership in teams, organizations, or groups can significantly enhance students’ learning and growth experiences. In addition, the university is committed to cultivating a community that fosters respect for the dignity and rights of all its members.

The university is committed to building character and leadership skills with no place for abusive behavior, harassment, or assault. Group loyalty and unity are built on trust and mutual respect. Hazing is an abuse of power and relationships and puts individuals at risk; therefore, Wright State University will not tolerate hazing by any university community members.
 

Definition of Hazing

Hazing involves doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization or any act to continue or reinstate membership in or affiliation with any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing physical or mental harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse, as defined in Section 3719.011 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Actions and situations outside the normal scope of the organization that may constitute hazing include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Brutality of a physical nature including paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, or exposure to the elements
• Forced or coerced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs 
• Acts intended to cause mental stress or humiliation including sleep or food deprivation, kidnapping or abandonment, confinement in a small space, forced exclusion from social contact, including social media, forced conduct or apparel that could result in ridicule, any activity that is designed to shame or humiliate
• Forced altering of physical appearance, i.e., head or eyebrow shaving, etc.
• Undue interference with academic pursuits (i.e., late hours or numerous required activities that interfere with class time and studying)
• The expectation of participation in activities that are illegal, lewd, or in violation of University Policy
• Sexualized hazing involving coerced or forced sexual acts to the person being hazed or encouraging them to do something sexual to someone else

According to the initial findings from the National Study of Student Hazing
 

Wright State’s Policy Against Hazing

Hazing in any form is prohibited. This policy applies to all university community members and applies to behavior on or off university property, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

• Any university community member (individual or group) with knowledge or suspicion of hazing must report the activity to the appropriate university officials or the Mercer County Dispatch at 419-586-7724. 
• Retaliating in any manner against an individual who reports hazing or who participates in an investigation of a hazing report is strictly prohibited and will be referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct (CSSC).
• Making an intentionally false accusation of hazing is strictly prohibited.
• All members of the university community shall cooperate in an investigation of hazing.
• Any organization, group, or individual may be found responsible for any violations of this policy if it shows that the organization, group, or individual did not discourage or take reasonable steps to prevent hazing.
• NCAA student-athletes shall follow the hazing policies and guidelines set forth by this policy, the athletic department, the NCAA, and the Horizon League.

 

Reporting Hazing

A person reporting an incident of hazing can seek advice from a staff member of one of the following university offices: Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Campus Recreation, Office of the Dean of Students, or the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct.
 

Potential Sanctions

Hazing is a serious offense, and, therefore, is subject to the full range of sanctions set forth within this policy. If evidence is presented in subsequent semesters that hazing behaviors have continued within the organization, that organization or individuals may be held responsible for current and past behaviors. Any organization or individual may be found responsible for any violations of this policy if it shows that the organization or individual did not discourage or take reasonable steps to prevent hazing.

Violation of this policy may result in corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, and other applicable university regulations. Sanctions for hazing can include fines, educational sanctions, probation, suspension or expulsion, and/or withholding of diplomas or transcripts. If an organization is found in violation, it may lose permission to operate on campus. Violations of this policy are subject to referral to appropriate law enforcement and the Inter/National organization of an affiliated student organization for action or prosecution, as appropriate.

Criminal penalties for hazing in the State of Ohio include:

• Failure to report hazing is a first-degree misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 180 days in jail and $1,000 in fines
• Hazing is a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 60 days in jail and $500 in fines
• Hazing that includes drugs or alcohol is a third-degree felony carrying a sentence of up to 3 years in prison and $10,000 in fines

Visitors refusing to comply will be reported to Mercer County Dispatch at 419-586-7724 or other authorities as appropriate and possibly trespassed from university premises. 

A student or student organization may be subject to interim measures pending the outcome of the investigation, depending on the severity of the incident. Students continuing to act in the name of a suspended or expelled student organization violates a sanction imposed under this policy. These students are subject to a Student Code of Conduct violation as individuals.