Student Code of Conduct Policy from WLU Student Handbook

Article III: Proscribed Conduct, Section B: Conduct – Rules and Regulations

5. Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule.

Definitions:

“Hazing” means to cause any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person or persons or cause another person or persons to destroy or remove public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education. The term includes, but is not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual or individuals to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual or individuals, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property: Provided, That the implied or expressed consent or willingness of a person or persons to hazing shall not be defense under this section.

“Institution of higher education” or “institution” means any public or private institution. Any person or persons who causes hazing is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined no less than one hundred dollars, no more than one thousand dollars, or confined in a county or regional jail, not more than nine months, or both fined and imprisoned:

Provided, that if the act would otherwise be deemed a felony as defined in this code, the person committing such an act may be found guilty of such felony and be subject to penalties provided for such a felony.

West Liberty takes accusations of hazing very seriously. Students who observe violations of this policy should file an incident report with Associate Vice President of Student Services or Campus Activities Coordinator. Violations can be investigated and adjudicated as both infractions of State law and Institutional policy. On an institutional level, both individuals and organizations found in violation of this policy will be subject to severe sanctions which could include suspension for an individual or revocation of charter for an organization.