Hazing

Hazing is against the law. Both state and federal law prohibit hazing.

Federal Hazing Law – The Stop Campus Hazing Act – WMU Policy

WMU defines hazing as – any intentional, knowing, or reckless act or situation committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other people), whether on or off campus, against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that: 

• is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
• causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:
  • whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
  • any activity that humiliates, degrades, or endangers another person;
  • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
  • any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.”

Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule. WMU defines a student organization as – an organization at the University (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

WMU defines a student organization as – an organization at the University (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

Michigan Hazing Law – “Garret’s Law”

Hazing is against the law in Michigan, per “Garret’s Law,” which is defined under M.C.L.A 750.411(t). Hazing may result in criminal prosecution resulting in fines and imprisonment. 

“Garret’s Law” defines hazing as an intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual and that the person knew or should have known endangers the physical health or safety of the individual, and that is done for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Hazing includes any of the following that is done for such a purpose:

1. Physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
2. Physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, or calisthenics, that subjects the other person to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
3. Activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual.
4. Activity that induces, causes, or requires an individual to perform a duty or task that involves the commission of a crime or an act of hazing.
    

WMU investigates all hazing reports. Anyone involved may be subject to disciplinary actions.

WMU Hazing Investigation/Resolution Process

Upon receipt of a report of hazing, the WMU’s Hazing Prevention Team and Response Taskforce will review the report and conduct an assessment in a timely and appropriate manner.

Assessment: The Taskforce’s assessment will likely include Taskforce members following up with the reporting party and/or complainant to learn more about the reported incident(s) and discuss relevant options, resources, and processes.

Possible Taskforce Actions: Depending on what is learned from the report and initial follow-up, the Taskforce may institute one or more of the following:

• Offering Supportive measures for the complainant
• Student Conduct may issue a Cease and Desist order to the students and/or student organization alleged to have engaged in hazing – the goal being to prevent additional harm during the Taskforce’s investigation/resolution process.
• Investigation: The Taskforce may conduct an investigation of the Hazing Complaint or allegation to determine whether the student organization and/or individual students have acted in violation of WMU’s hazing policy or policies. Following the Investigation, the Taskforce will determine whether sanctions and/or disciplinary actions may warranted for the student organization and/or individuals involved.
• Consultation and/or Referral: If the Taskforce determines that hazing most likely did occur and that sanctions and/or disciplinary actions are likely warranted, the Taskforce will refer the matter to the appropriate WMU offices and/or departments, as well as to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, where appropriate.
  • WMU Internal Referrals: WMU may refer the matter to the appropriate WMU office(s) to initiate the RSO conduct process, student conduct process, and/or other relevant resolution process, which will proceed to determine whether the student organization and/or individual students violated WMU policy, and if so, whether sanctions/ actions are warranted.
    • Student organization conduct will be addressed via the RSO Conduct procedures in the RSO handbook.
    • Individual student conduct will be addressed via the Student Conduct Process in the Student Code.
  • External Referrals: Where appropriate, the Taskforce will contact law enforcement officials to report the alleged acts of hazing.
• Clery Act Reporting: If a report of hazing involves behavior that may constitute a Clery Act crime, the University will evaluate and handle it in accordance with applicable federal regulations. When appropriate, the University will provide timely notifications to the campus community consistent with Clery Act requirements.
   

WMU is committed to creating, encouraging, and maintaining hazing prevention and awareness programs.

The WMU Community provides a variety of opportunities for its students, staff and faculty to gain hazing awareness by receiving hazing prevention education. Hazing education and prevention work is a continual effort to educate and empower students to better understand what hazing is, how to report it, and how to speak out and stand up to change hazing culture within their organizations.

WMU Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programs include – (1) research-informed campus-wide prevention programs designed to reach students, staff, and faculty, which includes the information regarding WMU hazing policies; and (2) primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before hazing occurs, which may include skill building for bystander intervention, information about ethical leadership, and the promotion of strategies for building group cohesion without hazing.

Examples: Some of WMU’s current and past Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programs include:

• Office of Student Engagement: Each year, the Office of Student Engagement hosts several events throughout National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW) to educate campus on the definition and spectrum of hazing, prompt dialogue around building and maintaining healthy student communities, and encourage students to take the Hazing Prevention Pledge. In 2023 and 2024, NPHW events included a resource fair, viewing of the documentary “Hazing”, dialogue around healthy relationships and a talk from Hazing Prevention Speaker, Travis Apgar, from CAMPUSPEAK.
• Registered Student Organizations (RSOs): Throughout the academic year, Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) may integrate hazing education into their new member processes and regular meetings.
• Campus Departments: Additionally, campus departments offer hazing education, such as Greek 101 and Western H.E.R.O.E.S. bystander intervention training.
• WMU Hazing Prevention Team and Response Taskforce

Western Michigan University’s Hazing Prevention Team and Response Taskforce works to formally and effectively provide hazing prevention efforts to campus and create a streamlined process for responding to and investigating hazing reports. In part, the WMU Hazing Prevention Team and Response Taskforce was officially established in response to the passing of The Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R.5646). 
Members of this team include:

• Eva Hughes, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life
• Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities
• At Large Members