Hazing Policy

Wilmington University is committed to the safety and wellness of every student. The University is committed to fostering an environment of learning, respect, and social responsibility. In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act, hazing is 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:

  • Is committed during initiation into, 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 at Wilmington University or the organization (such as 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
    • Requiring participation in drinking games, requiring individual(s) to ingest alcohol or other substances
    • 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 perform sexual acts;
    • Requiring individual(s) to sing, chant, or recite in public that is not part of an activity but to bring humiliation to self or others
    • Placing restrictions on who individuals may and may not associate with;
    • Requiring individual(s) to wear clothing that is embarrassing or not part of the uniform and/or requiring individuals to not bathe/ groom for extended periods;
    • Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct
    • Screaming, yelling, cursing, and/ or degrading members
    • Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law
    • Any activity that induces, causes, or requires a person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, state, tribal, or federal law.

Wilmington University has determined that any form of hazing done by any member of the Wilmington University community, faculty, students, staff, volunteers, or alumni is a violation of human rights and dignity and is prohibited.  Therefore, no one shall practice hazing or any form of team or group initiation rituals that includes anything that humiliates, degrades, abuse, or endangers the lives of others. Hazing in any form is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated.

Any member of the Wilmington University community, faculty, students, staff, and volunteer staff who are aware of any form of hazing must report the incident to the Office of Student Concerns immediately. This includes any incidents that occur on campus, during a campus-sponsored activity, or off campus.  In cases involving athletic teams, the director of Athletics must also be notified.

Click here to Report Hazing

Once a case of hazing has been reported, the Clery coordinator will also be advised so that it can be included in the Daily Crime Log. The Clery coordinator will also work to determine if any other Clery issues have been triggered, such as:

  • If the incident occurred in Clery geography
  • If other Clery laws were violated
  • Need for Timely Warning or Emergency Notification.

The Office of Student Concerns will review any reports of hazing and determine if an investigation is needed.  The inquiry will follow standard student code of violation procedures. Click here: Violations review procedures

Incidents that include conduct that is a violation of Title IX and/or the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), including sexual assault, non-consensual sexual contact, dating/ domestic violence, and stalking, will also be reviewed using the Wilmington University Policies and Procedures for Addressing Sex-Based Harassment.

 

 Penalties for being found responsible for hazing may include Code of conduct violation sanctions

Reporting Obligations

The University must include reports of any hazing activity (founded or unfounded) in its crime statistics in the Annual Security Report.

In addition, the Office of Student Concerns will include any founded cases of hazing in the Campus Hazing Transparency Report (CHTR), which is published biannually in December and June and found on the website CHTR Report

The Campus Hazing Transparency Report will include any cases of hazing that the Office of Student Concerns found. The Report will not include any personally identifiable information (PII).  For each incident, the CHTR will consist of:

  • The name of the student organization responsible for the hazing
  • A general description of the violation
  • Whether hazing involved the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs
  • Key dates in the incident:
    • Date of the incident
    • Start of the investigation
    • End of the investigation (determination of responsibility)
    • Outcome of notification to student organization
  • Finding (rationale) for the determination of responsibility
  • Sanctions imposed