Anti-Hazing Policy

Being a Lute means being a part of an inclusive, safe, and respectful community. The following policy is necessary for the welfare of the PLU educational community.

A) Policy Statement and Definition

In conjunction with the 2024 Federal Government’s “Stop Campus Hazing Act” and Washington State Law (RCW 28B.10.901  and  RCW 28B.10.902), PLU defines hazing as 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, and is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization that;

  1. Causes, is likely to cause, or creates the risk of bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental, emotional or psychological harm to any student or other person; or
  2. May abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass, ridicule, intimidate or endanger another person, or which may in any fashion compromise their inherent dignity as a person; or
  3. Subjects a student or other person to conduct or conditions which a reasonable person in the circumstances would find harmful, including but not limited to:
  • excessive mental or physical discomfort, including but not limited to:
    • 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, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
  • alcohol or drug abuse or overuse;
  • causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid (including excessive amounts of water), alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
  • physical confinement
    • confinement in a small space, restricting movements;
  • abandonment
  • verbal or physical abuse
    • any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
  • or substantial interference with the activities associated with a person’s educational pursuits; or
  1. Otherwise involves a violation of a law or University policy or which encourages a student or other person to violate a law or University policy, including but not limited to the “Student Code of Conduct”, “Alcohol and Drug Policy”, and “Sexual Misconduct Policy”; or
  2. Recruitment, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with student organizations, which specifically includes athletic teams; and
  3. Acts that are likely to cause harm to someone, including consumption of alcohol, drugs, or other substances that risk physical, psychological, or emotional harm, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.

Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in such acts. Hazing occurs regardless of the consent or willingness of persons to participate in the activity. Hazing is prohibited no matter if it occurs on or off campus. Hazing may take place within a range of student organizations.

The 2024 Stop Campus Hazing Act defines the term ‘student organization’ to mean any organization at an institution of higher education (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 institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution”.

B) Reporting

Reporting of suspected hazing incidents under the Student Code of Conduct should follow the process outlined below.  If the hazing behavior constitutes or creates an emergency, contact 911 or PLU’s Campus Safety Office at 253-535-7911.

Any PLU community member who has been subjected to, witnessed, or obtained knowledge about hazing practices is encouraged to report the details of the incident to the University as soon as possible. Employees of the University who have a ‘reasonable cause’ to believe hazing has occurred, must report the incident of concern at the first possible opportunity. The term ‘reasonable cause’ means a person who witnesses hazing or receives a credible written or oral report alleging hazing or potential or planned hazing activity.

Reports may be submitted in the following ways:

  1. Contact Student Rights and Responsibilities at srr@plu.edu, or 253-535-7462
  2. Contact Campus Safety at 253-535-7441 (non-emergency line)
  3. Submit an Incident Report.

A person who makes a report in good faith may not be sanctioned or punished for the violation of hazing unless the person is directly engaged in the planning, directing, or act of hazing reported.

C) Response Procedures

All reports of hazing will be reviewed through the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office.  If the reported conduct, as alleged, describes a possible violation of PLU’s Hazing Policy, the incident will be investigated and reviewed through the Student Rights and Responsibilities Process.

D) Sanctions

Individual Sanctions: A student who participates in or encourages hazing shall be subject to disciplinary action by the University through its Student Code of Conduct and SRR Procedures. Hazing that endangers a person’s mental or physical safety is also a criminal offense. As required by Washington State law, a student who participates in criminal hazing, in addition to University disciplinary actions and the possibility of being subject to prosecution, shall forfeit any entitlement to state-funded grants, scholarships, or awards for a period of time determined by the University, but not less than one academic term.

Group Sanctions: A student organization or living group that permits hazing to occur by its members or by others, subject to its direction or control, shall itself be subject to sanctions, including but not limited to the University’s withdrawal of its recognition of the group. Violations of the hazing policy by athletic team members will result in department-imposed sanctions, which may include department service dismissal from the team or cancellation of competition. In addition, the organization or group may be liable under state law for resulting harm to persons or property.

E) Public Disclosure – The Campus Hazing Transparency Report

In accordance to both federal and Washington State law, PLU will publish on PLU’s public website a hazing transparency report that summarizes findings concerning any student organization found to be in violation of the institution’s standards of conduct related to hazing. The report will include:

  1. The name of the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
  2. The date the investigation began;
  3. A general description of the incident(s), including the date of the initial violation, the determination of responsibility, and the sanctions placed on the organization if applicable;
  4. The date the investigation ended;
  5. The date the organization was charged with a violation if applicable; and
  6. Details of the sanctions and the timeline for completion.