What is Hazing?

Please review WashU’s Hazing Policy and the state of Missouri’s anti-hazing law below.

University Hazing Policy

“Hazing” is defined by the University as an intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person or two or more people against a student or prospective member in connection with initiation, admission into, affiliation, or continued membership with an Organization that causes or is likely to contribute to a substantial risk of physical or psychological injury. For purposes of this policy, the term “Organization” is not restricted to recognized or established student organizations or groups. It includes any organization in which two or more members are students enrolled at WashU.  

Hazing is prohibited by the university. Allegations of hazing reported to the university will lead to immediate initiation of investigation and proceedings under the University Student Conduct Code or other university disciplinary processes, in addition to possible referral for criminal investigation. It does not matter whether these activities were mandatory or voluntarily entered into by any of the participants in question, including prospective or current members.

Violations of WashU’s Hazing Policy may include, but are not limited to:

The State of Missouri’s Anti-Hazing Law

Missouri Law also makes hazing illegal. A person commits a hazing offense if they knowingly participate in or cause a willful act (on or off campus), directed against a student or prospective member of an organization, that recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or prospective member as part of initiation, admission to, or continued membership in the organization. In order to constitute a violation, the acts must knowingly place the student or prospective member at a probable risk of loss of life or probable bodily or psychological harm.

Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $2,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both. However, if the hazing “creates a substantial risk to the life of the student or prospective member,” the act is a Class D felony punishable by fines up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to seven years, or both. Under Missouri Law, consent is not a defense for hazing. The statute is set forth below:

§ 578.365. Hazing–consent not a defense–penalties

1. A person commits the offense of hazing if he or she knowingly participates in or causes a willful act, occurring on or off the campus of a public or private college or university, directed against a student or a prospective member of an organization operating under the sanction of a public or private college or university, that recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or prospective member for the purpose of initiation or admission into or continued membership in any such organization to the extent that such person is knowingly placed at probable risk of the loss of life or probable bodily or psychological harm. Acts of hazing include:
   • (1) Any activity which recklessly endangers the physical health or safety of the student or prospective member, including but not limited to physical brutality, whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or forced smoking or chewing of tobacco products;
   • (2) Any activity which recklessly endangers the mental health of the student or prospective member, including but not limited to sleep deprivation, physical confinement, or other extreme stress-inducing activity; or
   • (3) Any activity that requires the student or prospective member to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the criminal laws of this state or any political subdivision in this state.
2. Public or private colleges or universities in this state shall adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing by any organization operating under the sanction of the institution.
3. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as creating a new private cause of action against any educational institution.
4. Consent is not a defense to hazing. Section 565.010 does not apply to hazing cases or to homicide cases arising out of hazing activity.
5. The offense of hazing is a class A misdemeanor, unless the act creates a substantial risk to the life of the student or prospective member, in which case it is a class D felony.

Context is Important

While some behaviors constitute hazing regardless of context (e.g., paddling, being pressured to consume alcohol), others depend on the circumstances. For example, members of an athletic team performing normal calisthenics as part of conditioning would not be hazing, but requiring new members of a non-athletic student organization to do push-ups would constitute hazing.

If you are unsure if what you are observing or experiencing is hazing, ask yourself:

If you have to ask whether or not it is hazing, it probably is. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, please report this behavior.

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