Hazing Policy

I. Background

A. JWU seeks to provide an educational environment free from all forms of hazing. Hazing violates not only university policies, but also may violate applicable law, in particular Rhode Island General Law, Title 11, Chapter 21, and North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 14, Article 35.

B. Hazing or tolerating hazing violates the Student Code of Conduct and may result in student conduct sanctions (individual or group) up to and including suspension, dismissal from the university, or degree revocation.

C. Consent is not a defense to hazing and will not absolve an individual or group from a finding of responsibility for hazing under the Student Code of Conduct.

II. What is Hazing?

A. Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that—

1. Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and

2. Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the university or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—

a) Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
b) Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
c) Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
d) Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
e) Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
f) Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of federal, state, local, or tribal law; and
g) Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of federal, state, local, or tribal law. 

B. Student organization means an organization at the university (such as an association, band, club, club sports team, fraternity, society, sorority, student government, or varsity or junior varsity athletic team) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at JWU, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by JWU.

III. What should I do if I think I am the victim of, a witness to, or learn of hazing?

A. Anyone who is aware of or believes they have witnessed or have been subjected to hazing  is encouraged to report the behavior through one of the following methods. 

1. Campus Safety & Security and/or local law enforcement. Contact Campus Safety & Security on your campus (Providence: 401-598-1103; Charlotte: 980-598-1900) or your local law enforcement office. 

2. Hazing Report Form. Use the online Hazing Report Form.  Do not use this form to report incidents that may present an immediate threat to life or property. Reports submitted via this form may not receive an immediate response. If you require emergency assistance, please contact Campus Safety & Security and/or local law enforcement.  

3. Silent Witness. Make a Silent Witness Report online. Please note that the Silent Witness Program is not designed to replace the need to contact Campus Safety & Security directly about an emergency or potentially harmful situation. The ability to respond appropriately may be limited if the report is anonymous; therefore, students are encouraged to provide an email address and/or phone number so that Campus Safety & Security may follow up with questions if necessary.

IV. How will hazing be investigated? 

A. Hazing will be addressed through the Student Code of Conduct and the Conduct Review Process. 

V. Retaliation

A. The university prohibits retaliation against any individual who has made a good faith complaint, cooperated in the investigation of such a complaint, or participated in the Conduct Review Process. Anyone found to have engaged in retaliation may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the university. 

VI. Hazing Laws

A. Hazing, as defined in Rhode Island General Law, Title 11, Chapter 21 and North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 14, Article 35, is a misdemeanor criminal offense, subject to fine and/or imprisonment in Rhode Island and North Carolina, respectively.