WFU Hazing Policy
Hazing
Hazing Hotline 336.758.HAZE (4293)
A phone mailbox is available to members of the Wake Forest community who wish to anonymously report any student behavior which may be hazing. All reports will be followed up by the Office of the Dean of Students.
336.758.HAZE (4293)
Anti-Hazing Policy
Wake Forest University prohibits hazing and any conduct that aids, abets, assists, or supports another in hazing. “Hazing” is any action taken or situation created for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a means of maintaining continued membership or favor in a group, organization, or team that: (1) endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any student; (2) unreasonably interferes with a student’s academic, professional, or personal obligations; (3) humiliates, demeans, disgraces, or degrades a student; (4) is not relevant to a student’s development within the context of the group, organization or team; or (5) the action taken or situation created is excessive and unreasonable within the context of the group, organization or team.
The consent or willingness of the person subjected to hazing, either expressed or implied, is not a defense to hazing.
Wake Forest prohibits retaliation against any person who acts in good faith to stop, prevent, or report potential hazing activity, or who participates in an investigation involving hazing allegations. Wake Forest encourages reports of potential hazing or retaliation, and reports can be made at this website: hazing.wfu.edu/report-hazing or by calling 336.758.HAZE (4293).
Persons who cause physical injury by hazing, or who aid or abet others in physical injury by hazing, are also subject to arrest and criminal liability under North Carolina law.
Violations of this policy may result in sanctions under the Student Code of Conduct, up to and including Disciplinary Suspension and Disciplinary Expulsion. The Student Conduct Office will coordinate hazing investigations with other appropriate University units and a proceeding may determine outcomes for alleged violations of this policy and other University policies.
Hazing results from a power imbalance between members of a group, organization or team. Hazing due to this imbalance can impact any member of the group, organization, or team, regardless of status. Hazing can take place in various forms, including Intimidation Hazing, Harassment Hazing, and/or Violent Hazing.
This involves conduct that emphasizes the power imbalance between members of the group, organization, or team, and current members, new members, or students seeking or maintaining affiliation. This is termed “intimidation hazing” because this type of hazing is often taken for granted or accepted as harmless or meaningless.
Intimidation hazing typically involves activities or behaviors that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and results in new members being ridiculed, embarrassed, and/or humiliated. Members often feel the need to endure intimidation hazing to feel like part of the group or community. Examples of intimidation hazing include, but are not limited to:
• Required periods of silence
• Deprivation of privileges
• Social isolation
• Name-calling
• Assignment of duties not assigned to other members, including event preparation and/or clean up, driving requirements, and similar obligations or assignments
Harassment Hazing
This involves conduct that causes emotional anguish or physical discomfort to members so that they feel like part of the group. Members subjected to harassment hazing often experience confusion, frustration, and undue stress. Examples of harassment hazing include, but are not limited to:
• Verbal abuse
• Threats or implied threats
• Sexual simulations or nudity
• Requiring situationally inappropriate attire or changes to physical appearance, such as the cutting of hair, wearing makeup or markers, or other alterations
• Sleep deprivation
Violent Hazing
This involves conduct that causes or could cause physical or psychological harm. Examples of violent hazing include, but are not limited to:
• Forcing or coercing alcohol or other drug consumption
• Forcing or coercing physical activity or exercise, such as pushups, “planking,” “‘bows and toes,” or similar
• Forcing or coercing sexual acts
• Beating
• Paddling or other forms of battery
• Creating a threatening circumstance such that a student reasonably fears for their personal safety
• Forcing or coercing ingestion of vile substances
• Branding or tattooing
• Placing students in the shower against their will
• Bondage
• Kidnapping
• Expecting participation in illegal activity or in an activity that would otherwise violate the Student Code of Conduct or other University policy.
Disciplinary suspension or disciplinary expulsion will be strongly considered for students and/or student organizations found responsible for violent hazing, harassment hazing, and retaliation. Additionally, students or student organizations who use deception or collude with others to obstruct a hazing investigation will receive the same disciplinary consideration.
Common Hazing Excuses
- “It’s tradition.”
- “No one will get hurt.”
- “It’s funny – what’s the problem?”
- “They like it; they said it was okay.”
- “It’s okay if they don’t complain.”
- “It helps build team cohesiveness and unity.”
- “I went through it. It’s a rite of passage.”
SOURCE: My Journey from Being Hazed to Being an Enthusiastic Hazer to Stopping Hazing
Resources
- Hazing Hotline 336.758-HAZE (4293)
- Wake University Police 336.758.5591
- Winston-Salem Police Department 336.773.7700
- Emergency (on campus) 5911
- Emergency (off campus) 911
- University Counseling 336.758.5273
- Residence Life & Housing 336.758.5185
- Office of the Dean of Students 336.758.5226
- CARE Case Management 336.758.CARE