Hazing Prevention

1.0 INTRODUCTION  

The University of Wisconsin-Stout is committed to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment, where individuals are free from hazing. The purpose of this policy is to define hazing at UW-Stout and establish requirements for hazing education, reporting, and response in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act. 

2.0 SCOPE OF POLICY 

This Policy applies to all employees, registered student organizations (RSOs), students, student groups, and individuals who volunteer with RSOs and student groups.  

3.0 DEFINITIONS 

        3.1 REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATION (RSO): 

A group, composed mainly of, and directed by, students, consisting of at least four students and an advisor, and which has filed all appropriate registration forms with the Involvement Center in the Memorial Student Center and been confirmed by the Involvement Center as meeting the eligibility criteria for registration, and is active and in good standing.  

       3.2 STUDENT GROUP: 

A group of at least two students that is established or recognized by the university, but the group does not meet the definition of a registered student organization. Examples include, but are not limited to, athletic teams and club sports (e.g., varsity sports, intramural sports), military organizations, honor societies, musical or theatrical ensembles,  university bands and club sports 

4.0 STATEMENT OF POLICY  

 In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Wis. Stat. § 948.51, UW-Stout defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act against an individual that endangers the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health of that individual for the purposes of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any organization or group and that causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate.  

5.0 CRITERIA

       5.1 HAZING CAN INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: 

5.1.1 Brutality of a physical nature or the threat of bodily harm such as assault, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to elements, sleep deprivation, confinement, or any other activity which could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual. 

5.1.2 Forced consumption of any alcohol, food, liquid, drug, or other substance that could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual. 

5.1.3 Soliciting a person to participate in or be actively involved in the planning of any act meeting the definition of hazing. 

5.1.4 Any activity that constitutes the violation of university policies and/or federal, state, or local law (including ordinances of the City of Menomonie), or that causes another person to commit such a violation. 

5.1.5 Acts that degrade, humiliate, embarrass, ridicule, or isolate such as requiring servitude, taking away cell phones or other devices, not allowing class attendance, requiring costumes or other apparel unless that apparel is part of a uniform for employment or a university or athletic program, confinement, or any other  activity that could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual. 

5.1.6 Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts.  

       5.2 REPORTING 

 5.2.1 Campus security authorities as defined in Institutional Clery Act Compliance are required to report incidents of hazing to the university. 

5.2.2 Allegations of hazing may be reported via the University of Wisconsin-Stout Incident Reporting Form 

      5.3 INVESTIGATION/REFERRAL 

5.3.1 The Dean of Students Office is responsible for investigating and adjudicating allegations of hazing. 

5.3.2 Individual students will follow student nonacademic disciplinary procedures outlined in Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 17  

5.3.3 Registered Student Organizations will follow the disciplinary procedures outlined in Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct  

5.3.4 Hazing allegations involving individuals who are not students will be referred to the appropriate office. 

       5.4 HAZING PREVENTION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMMING 

5.4.1 Research-informed hazing prevention and awareness training will be made available to students, staff, and faculty. This training will include information about this policy and other applicable university policies, how to recognize and report hazing, and strategies for intervening when hazing is witnessed or known. 

6.0 GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 

       Not Applicable. 

7.0 RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION 

        7.1 Approved Authority 

In planning initiation for new members, or organizations traditions, organizations should consider the below, to make people feel welcomed, and create organizations people enjoy.

1. A meal, coffee or other social bonding with one org member.
2. A meal, coffee or other social bonding with one org alumni.
3. A phone interview or job shadow with one org alumni.
4. Sponsor or host a study skills workshop for the chapter membership (can be held in conjunction with resources available on campus)
5. Teach the org a skill or topic in 10 minutes (like a TedTalk)
6. Host a dinner and movie for the new member class and/or the chapter membership.
7. Shadow an officer of the organization and assist in the planning/execution of a program/event.
8. Host/sponsor a workout, sporting or cooking event for members.
9. Host/sponsor a campus health educator to provide a presentation on suicide, eating disorders, depression, sexual assault, and other health issues.
10. Host a speaker from the campus library to provide information regarding effective research methods.
11. Write a letter to a mentor thanking them for their guidance and leadership.
12. Celebrate the birthdays of members in the new member class with a jointly signed card.
13. Create a senior recognition ceremony or activity, demonstrating the continued involvement of members and commitment to the organization
14. Allow members to share their unique talents in a supportive environment.
15. Challenge or Contest – Host friendly competitions like trivia, writing, or design challenges.
16. Karaoke Night – Sing and bond over music.
17. Photo Scavenger Hunt – Capture group-themed pictures at different locations.
18. Art Night – Paint, draw, or do crafts together
19. DIY Projects – Build something together, like birdhouses or small projects for charity.
20. Outdoor Adventure Day – Go hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing as a team.
21. Support another organization at their event.
22. Organization History Orientation – Share the history, values, and goals of the group.
23. Career Fair Night- meet to discuss the upcoming career fair and share with new members what to expect and hear their thoughts/questions.
24. Park Picnic – Relax with games, food, and conversations in a local park.
25. Scrapbooking Session – Document memories with photos, notes, and creative designs.
26. Time Capsule Creation – Assemble items and letters to represent the current year, to be opened later at the end of a year or 4 years.
27. Trivia Night – Create trivia questions about your organization, members, pop culture, or a fun theme.
28. Group Goal Setting – Set and share personal or organizational goals. 

Activities that are expected of someone joining or participating in a group where that activity humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them regardless of a person’s willingness to participate:

1. Requiring servitude
2. Taking cell phones or other devices
3. Requiring use of alcohol
4. Not allowing attendance at class or other academic functions
5. Requiring activities that are designed to create excessive fatigue
6. Making individuals consume vile substances
7. Requiring individuals to smear substances on skin
8. Locking individuals in a room or otherwise preventing them from leaving
9. Requiring apparel that would typically be considered in poor taste or humiliating