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)
Hazing Policy
Wake Forest University prohibits 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 or organization that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person. All actions or situations which unreasonably impede upon a student’s academic, professional, or personal commitments are also prohibited. Actions or situations which demean, disgrace, or degrade any student are prohibited. Actions or situations which violate other policies in the Code of Conduct as part of initiation, admission, affiliation, or continued membership may also be considered hazing and are prohibited. Retaliation against any person who acts to prevent, stop, or report hazing activity is prohibited. Violators are subject to possible criminal action by law enforcement, in addition to being held accountable through the University’s conduct process.
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
Corrective Action
If an investigation determines the organization planned, discussed, or carried out a hazing activity, individual members will proceed through the Student Conduct process outlined in the Code of Conduct. Individual and organizational findings and outcomes may result from the conduct process. Participation in hazing is prohibited and consent to being hazed is not an acceptable defense. Persons who may be found in violation of hazing can include those who implement or initiate hazing, anyone in a leadership role in the chapter, anyone who permits the hazing to occur within their residence, any new member who willfully participates in hazing activities during new member education, and any other person(s) who knowingly and willfully consent to being hazed.
Reporting and Preventing Hazing
All members of the University community share the responsibility to prevent and report allegations of hazing. To avoid any errors in judgment, all student organizations must submit a detailed list of new member activities to the Office of the Dean of Students at the beginning of the new member education period.
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