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Hazing is strictly prohibited both by the State of Illinois and the Code of Conduct at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois University. It represents a misguided attempt to foster belonging through fear and coercion, contradicting the principles and values of our institution and all organizations/teams at WIU. The university maintains the right to sanction individuals and organizations involved in or permitting hazing. WIU adamantly rejects and condemns hazing in all its forms. It undermines the genuine membership and student experience, poses risks to lives, and threatens the existence of student

While each organization has its own hazing policy, the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois University Hazing Policy reads as follows:

Hazing of any type is prohibited at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois University.

For this policy, hazing includes any activity that is inconsistent with regulations or policies of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois University or the laws of the state of Illinois for the objective of initiation into, affiliation with, or continued membership in any group, organization, or team. 

Any individual, group, or organization found responsible for hazing will be subject to sanctions outlined in the disciplinary process detailed in the WIU Code of Student Conduct or other university policies, including, but not limited to, disciplinary probation, social suspension, suspension of organization status, restrictions on member recruitment and/or group activity, removal of the individual from the group, suspension, and/or expulsion. The action of even one member of a group may result in both individual and group responsibility.  Note that this policy does not include specific sanction requirements or regulations imposed by other entities, including departmental regulations, NCAA compliance standards, etc. Groups may be subject to additional investigation and sanctioning by these groups as deemed appropriate.

Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises, that is harmful or potentially harmful to an individual’s physical, emotional, or psychological well-being, regardless of an individual’s willingness to participate or its bearing on their membership status. Such activities and situations include, but are NOT limited to:

• Any brutality of a physical nature; examples include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, required carrying of object/s;
• Any activity that could adversely affect the physical health, well-being, or safety of the individual; examples include sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment;
• Any activity that causes social ostracism or could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual; and
• Any activity that causes any willful destruction or removal of public or private property.

Students should also be aware that under Illinois State Law, hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except hazing that results in death or great bodily harm, which is a Class 4 felony. WIU’s definition of hazing is much broader than the definition under state law.

WIU Hazing Report Form

This form can be filled out anonymously and is intended to be used specifically for hazing allegations. Only with your permission, will your identity be disclosed to the individuals or group in question. Your identity will be held in confidence. You may submit this form anonymously however; doing so may limit the ability of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois University to fully investigate the incident. You may be asked to submit an official statement on this matter and/or the case may be passed on to student Judicial Programs.

All reports of hazing shall include a detailed description of the events that have transpired, the names of any individuals involved, and a description of any actions taken by the organization. Upon receiving the report, the University will proceed as described in this policy.

Retaliating or threatening retaliation against an individual who has reported or filed a complaint alleging hazing or participated as a witness in such an investigation is strictly prohibited. Individuals who disregard or delay the investigation of hazing claims when responsibility for reporting and/or investigating hazing charges comprise part of their supervisory duties also violate this policy.

WIU Hazing Report Form

National Anti-Hazing Hotline

1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293) **Note the National Anti-Hazing Hotline is an external entity not directly affiliated with ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois University**

The Anti-Hazing Hotline accepts anonymous hazing reports from anyone. The hotline was established in 2007 by a consortium of national fraternities and sororities. It is currently sponsored by 47 national and international Greek organizations.

The Hotline provides an anonymous telephone line for anyone to report a suspected or recent hazing incident to one number 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293) that accepts calls 24 hours a day. The Hotline connects to a dedicated voice mailbox at Manley Burke, LPA. The calls are automatically saved as audio files.

In some instances, reports are about athletic teams, bands, or clubs. When those calls are received, the institution where the organization is located is contacted. If it a fraternity or sorority is named, the file is transmitted by e-mail to the headquarters of the fraternity or sorority named in the report.

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Hazing is illegal in the state of Illinois. Hazing is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, except in the situation where hazing results in death or great bodily harm; it is then considered a Class 4 felony.

720 ILCS 120/5. Hazing.

A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State for the purpose of induction or admission into any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution if:

(a) the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution; and

(b) the act results in bodily harm to any person.

720 ILCS 120/10. Sentence.

Hazing is a Class A misdemeanor, except hazing that results in death or great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony.

Team-building/initiation "type" activities can be beneficial. They should be serious and challenging, help the person find an identity in a group of other students, and give them a sense of belonging. These types of activities, however, are different from hazing in very fundamental ways. Without careful consideration, they can too often degenerate into hazing, where they humiliate, embarrass, degrade, or endanger people.

How can we tell if an event is hazing or otherwise inappropriate? Ask yourself the following questions

• Is there secrecy around the activity?
• Is there pressure to participate?
• Is a specific group or individual singled out?
• Do members justify it as being a "tradition"? How could you break a long-standing "tradition"? What activities could be introduced to start a new tradition and replace a questionable one?
• Does this activity promote and conform to the ideals and values of the team/group/college?
• Will this activity increase long-term feelings of friendship between new and initiated members of the team/group?
• Take the perspective of your parents – would they be proud? Your coach or advisor? Your professors? The College President?
• Would you be willing to defend the merit of this activity in a court of law?
• Does the activity meet both the spirit and letter of the standards prohibiting hazing?
• How do hazing activities get passed on? Have you been hazed? If yes, do you think you can pass it on to the next class? Is there an expectation to participate?
• How could the competitive or risk-taking nature of being a college student impact a hazing situation (alcohol consumption, water chugging, high-risk activities AFTER alcohol consumption)?
• Does your team/group have a unique culture? If yes, what is it? How does hazing fit into that?
• Does the activity promote and conform to the ideals, values, and mission of the university and the organization?
• Is it an activity that all members (current and initiates) engage in together?
• Would the group’s advisor, the national headquarters of a fraternity/sorority, and/or other university officials approve of the activity?
• Will this activity increase new members’ respect for the group and all members?
• Is the activity free of mental anguish or physical discomfort?
• Does the activity have inherent value in and of itself?

Types of hazing activities but not limited to this list:

• any activity that promotes a class system within organizations or activities, which facilitates inappropriate levels of authority over students
• marching in line
• wearing conspicuous apparel, not generally in good taste, and/or inappropriate for the time of year
• carrying of an object for a set period
• calisthenics
• line-ups
• pledge/signature books
• periods of silence (limited contact with non-members)
• social isolation
• threats
• skit nights
• standing for a length of time
• personal servitude
• activities that would not normally construe hazing but because of time, place, or manner make them inappropriate, such as scavenger hunts & road trips
• sleep deprivation or interruption of consecutive sleep hours
• expected or forced consumption of food, drink (including alcohol), or other substance
• acts of humiliation or degradation (including streaking or wearing degrading or humiliating apparel)
• restrictions on eating or bathing
• acts that disrupt academic instruction or learning of others
• interruption or interference with academic commitments
• branding
• paddling in any form
• compromising (sexual) situations

How Hazing Is Justified

Moral Disengagement (Bandura, 2002): Gradual disengagement of moral self-sanction.
Behavior normally viewed as immoral, even reprehensible, becomes more benign, acceptable, or worthy in a particular social setting through cognitive restructuring over time.

Action Steps

• Define up front what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.
• Ensure the planned activity could not be considered, by definition, hazing.
• Don’t let others justify hazing as "tradition."
• BREAK THE SILENCE and voice your opinion.
• Choose not to participate.
• Speak with fellow group members and the group leadership about your concerns.
• Talk to an administrator/coach/advisor, etc.
• Come up with new activities that promote team/group bonding without any risk of it being considered hazing.
• Get those involved to stop and think about the people they are hazing (perspective-taking). Is there any chance hazing could trigger something in terms of personal/ emotional challenges they have had to face in their life?

More Resources

Important to know – all group activities and behaviors, given the circumstances, could become hazing. If the activity is used to exert control over another person or humiliate, degrade, abuse, or endanger them, there are power dynamics at play and harm (psychological, emotional, physical) being inflicted. That is hazing. See the film and companion discussion and activity guides for more information and education on considering activity circumstances that can turn haze free activities into hazing based activities.

SAVE THE DATE: September 23-27, 2024

Date	Program	Location	Time
Monday, September 23, 2024	Wear Purple in Support of Prevention! Take the Pledge Against Hazing!Â	Union Concourse	11AM - 2PM
Tuesday, September 24, 2024	Wear Purple in Support of Prevention! Take the Pledge Against Hazing!Â	Union Concourse	11AM - 2PM
Wednesday, September 25, 2024	Blood Drive w/ Impact Life	Union Heritage Room	12PM - 5PM
Wednesday, September 25, 2024	House of Hazing Horrors	University Union Basement	6PM - 9PM
Thursday, September 26, 2024	Take Back the Night w/ the MCC Women's Center	Sherman Hall/Downtown Macomb	Evening