Hazing Information

Walla Walla Community College is committed to fostering a campus culture where students, faculty, and staff feel safe and can actively engage in opportunities on and off campus. As part of this commitment, hazing has no place at WWCC and is strictly prohibited under the WWCC Student Conduct Code (ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 7110 – WAC 132T-10) and Washington State Hazing Law RCW 28B.10.901.

What is Hazing (RCW 28B.10.900)? 
Hazing” includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a public or private institution of higher education or other postsecondary educational institution in this state, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions. The college prohibits any hazing activities on or off the college premises.

Examples of Hazing:

• Forced consumption of alcohol or other substances
• Sleep deprivation or excessive physical activity
• Verbal abuse or humiliation
• Threats or intimidation
• Assigning demeaning tasks unrelated to the group’s purpose
• Exclusion from social interaction
• Any activity that creates an undue risk of physical, emotional, or psychological harm

Activities That Can Be Considered Hazing: 
Hazing can occur in various settings, including student organizations, athletic teams, and clubs. Some activities that may seem like traditions or team-building exercises can still be considered hazing if they involve coercion, intimidation, or risk of harm.

Potential Signs of Hazing:

• Unexplained injuries or exhaustion
• Changes in behavior, withdrawal from friends, or academic decline
• Fear of certain events, activities, or people
• Reluctance to discuss group activities
• Increased secrecy about organization involvement

How to Prevent Hazing: 

• Educate all members about hazing, its signs, and consequences
• Foster a safe and inclusive environment by promoting positive bonding activities
• Encourage open conversations and empower members to report hazing
• Take reports of hazing seriously and investigate them promptly
• Hold leaders and members accountable for their actions
• Recognize that bystanders play a role in prevention

Bystander Intervention to Prevent or Stop Hazing

Every member of the WWCC community has a role in preventing and stopping hazing. An active bystander is someone who recognizes a questionable situation and chooses how to respond.

All Faculty and Staff are required to complete an online Hazing Awareness and Prevention Training.

Five steps for effective bystander intervention:

• Identify the behavior happening
• Interpret the behavior as problematic
• Recognize personal responsibility to act
• Develop the skills needed to intervene appropriately
• Take action (Direct, Distract, Delegate, or Discuss)

The key to keeping yourself and others safe is knowing how to intervene in a way that fits the situation and your comfort level. Your response can make all the difference. However, always prioritize your own safety when intervening.

How to Report Hazing?

If you or another person is in immediate danger, call 911.
To report a hazing incident, you can:

• Fill out the WWCC Hazing Incident Reporting Form

Additional On-Campus Resources

• Counseling and Wellness Services | wwcc.edu/current-students/counseling/
• Campus Security | Emergency: 911 | 509.526.SAFE (7233) | [email protected]

Hazing Prevention committee (RCW 28B.10.905)

• Per State Requirements, the committee compromises students, employees, and at least one parent/guardian of a student at WWCC.

Committee Members

• Dr. Colleen Vandenboom, VP Student Services
• Tracy Klem, Director of Safety and Security
• Dr. Nick Veluzzi, Parent of WWCC Student and VP of Research and Instructional Effectiveness
• Morgan Santos
• Seth Lustig
• Lauren York