University Policies

Policy on Hazing

Approved By: President
Approval Date: Prior to 1998
Revision Date: September 3, 2024

POLICY STATEMENT

Western Illinois University is committed to sustaining an academic environment that respects individual freedom and promotes excellence, opportunity, growth, and social responsibility. Western Illinois University prohibits any form of hazing.

SCOPE (WHO SHOULD READ THIS POLICY)

Prevention of hazing is the responsibility of every member of the University community.

This policy applies to all student organizations, groups, teams, and individuals and is effective from matriculation to commencement, including all breaks. University students (both undergraduate and graduate), administrators, employees, faculty, staff, consultants, alumni, and volunteers are prohibited from participating in and/or permitting the hazing of any person associated with the University. This policy applies to conduct between two or more people affiliated with Western Illinois University regardless of whether that conduct occurs on or off University premises. This policy likewise applies to all University locations, including where the University is extended to distance education, such as study abroad, service trips, experiential learning opportunities, athletics, club sports, and other group travel. This policy excludes dual enrollment students unless the alleged conduct occurs in the context of a Western Illinois University organization or involves Western Illinois University students, faculty, or staff.

DEFINITIONS

  • "Organization" means an athletic team, association, order, society, corps, cooperative, club, student organization, fraternity, sorority, or other similar group that is affiliated with the University and whose membership consists primarily of students enrolled at the University. "Organization" includes a local chapter, unit, or other local division consisting primarily of students, regardless of the nature of the membership of the larger public or private organization.
  • "Student" means any person who is enrolled at the University, any person who has been promoted or accepted for enrollment at the University, or any person who intends to enroll at or be promoted to the University within the next twelve (12) calendar months. A person who meets the definition of a student for purposes of this paragraph shall continue to be defined as a student for purposes of this policy until the person graduates, transfers, is promoted, or withdraws from the University.

POLICY

Hazing of any type is prohibited at Western Illinois University.
 
For this policy, hazing includes any activity that is inconsistent with regulations or policies of Western Illinois University or the laws of the state of Illinois for the objective of initiation into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any group, organization, or team.  

Any individual, group, or organization found responsible for hazing will be subject to sanctions outlined in the disciplinary process detailed in the WIU Code of Student Conduct or other university policies, including, but not limited to, disciplinary probation, social suspension, suspension of organization status, restrictions on member recruitment and/or group activity, removal of the individual from the group, suspension, and/or expulsion. The action of even one member of a group may result in both individual and group responsibility.  Note that this policy does not include specific sanction requirements or regulations imposed by other entities, including departmental regulations, NCAA compliance standards, etc. Groups may be subject to additional investigation and sanctioning by these groups as deemed appropriate. 

Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises, that is harmful or potentially harmful to an individual’s physical, emotional, or psychological well-being, regardless of an individual’s willingness to participate or its bearing on their membership status. Such activities and situations include, but are NOT limited to:

  •  Any brutality of a physical nature; examples include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, required carrying of object/s;
  • Any activity that could adversely affect the physical health, well-being, or safety of the individual; examples include sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;
  • Any activity that causes social ostracism or could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual; and
  • Any activity that causes any willful destruction or removal of public or private property.

Students should also be aware that under Illinois State Law, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except hazing that results in death or great bodily harm, which is a Class 4 felony. WIU’s definition of hazing is much broader than the definition under state law.

PROCEDURES

Reporting

The entire University community shares the responsibility for a safe and secure campus. Any person who receives a complaint of hazing or who observes or learns of conduct that is reasonably believed to violate this policy is required immediately to report the alleged conduct to the Office of Public Safety, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the Office of Student Engagement, or via the WIU Hazing Reporting Form.  Any person who believes that another person is in serious physical danger shall immediately call 911 to obtain medical assistance.

All reports of hazing shall include a detailed description of the events that have transpired, the names of any individuals involved, and a description of any actions taken by the organization. Upon receiving the report, the University will proceed as described in this policy.

Retaliating or threatening retaliation against an individual who has reported or filed a complaint alleging hazing or participated as a witness in such an investigation is strictly prohibited. Individuals who disregard or delay the investigation of hazing claims when responsibility for reporting and/or investigating hazing charges comprise part of their supervisory duties also violate this policy.

Investigation

Upon receiving a report of hazing, the University will initiate an investigation as described in this policy and, where appropriate, notify an organization’s leaders, advisors, or coaches.

Interim Measures

The University will determine whether interim measures are needed to protect the safety and/or well-being of others. Interim measures may include suspension of organizational activities until an investigation and appropriate conduct resolution have concluded. Appropriate interested parties (leaders, officers, advisors, coaches, volunteers, etc.) will be notified of interim measures.

Disposition & Adjudication

If an investigation/hearing concludes that an individual or individuals directed, engaged in, aided, or otherwise participated in, actively or passively, an incident of hazing, disciplinary action may be imposed against the individual(s). If the investigation/hearing concludes that an organization knowingly permitted, authorized, or condoned hazing, disciplinary action may be imposed against the entire organization. Adjudication and hearing procedures shall follow an investigation according to the Code of Student Conduct. The Office of Public Safety will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies and document that the notification was made. A summary report of any substantiated violations of this policy, describing the events, the names of any individuals (as permitted by FERPA) or organizations involved, and a description of any actions taken by the University will be maintained. 

RESPONSIBILITIES (Implementation and Enforcement)

As members of the Western Illinois University community, we all share the responsibility of building and maintaining an environment that recognizes the worth and potential of every individual and communicates respect among all. Our success depends on our ability to work together in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

RESOURCES

Standards
  • Illinois Hazing Law
    Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois. Hazing is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, except in the situation where hazing results in death or great bodily harm; it is then considered a Class 4 felony.
    • 720 ILCS 120/5. Hazing.
      A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution if:

      (a) the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and

      (b) the act results in bodily harm to any person.
    • 720 ILCS 120/10. Sentence.
      Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony.
  • WIU.EDU/DONOTHAZE
  • Hazing Prevention Network
  • Stop Hazing
  • NCAA Handbook – Building New Traditions – Hazing Prevention in College Athletics
  • Code of Student Conduct
Forms