Hazing

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Policy Number:
UW-2001
Responsible Office:
Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is committed to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment, where individuals are free from hazing. The purpose of this policy is to define hazing at UW-Madison and establish requirements for hazing education, reporting, and response in accordance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Wis. Stat. § 948.51 .

Definitions:
Registered Student Organization (RSO)
A group, composed mainly of, and directed by, students, consisting of at least four students and an advisor, and which has filed all appropriate registration forms with the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (SOLI) and been confirmed by SOLI as meeting the eligibility criteria for registration.
Student Group
A group of at least two students that is established or recognized by the university, but the group does not meet the definition of a RSO. Examples include but are not limited to athletic teams (e.g., varsity sports, intramural sports), spirit groups, military organizations, honor societies, musical or theatrical ensembles, and university bands (e.g., concert, marching, athletic).
Scope:

This policy applies to all employees, registered student organizations (RSOs), students, student groups, and individuals who volunteer with RSOs and student groups.

Policy:
  1. In compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act and Wis. Stat. § 948.51, UW-Madison defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act against an individual that endangers the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health of that individual for the purposes of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any organization or group, and that causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. Hazing can include, but is not limited to:
    1. Brutality of a physical nature or the threat of bodily harm such as assault, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to elements, sleep deprivation, confinement, or any other activity which could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual.
    2. Forced consumption of any alcohol, food, liquid, drug, or other substance which could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual.
    3. Soliciting a person to participate in or being actively involved in the planning of any act meeting the definition of hazing.
    4. Any activity that constitutes the violation of university policies and/or federal, state, or local law (including ordinances of the City of Madison), or that causes, another person to commit such a violation.
    5. Acts that degrade, humiliate, embarrass, ridicule, or isolate such as requiring servitude, taking away cell phones or other devices, not allowing class attendance, requiring costumes or other apparel unless that apparel is part of a uniform for employment or a university or athletic program, confinement, or any other activity which could adversely affect the physical, mental, emotional, or psychological health or safety of the individual.
    6. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts.
  2. Reporting
    1. Campus security authorities as defined in UW-403 Institutional Clery Act Compliance are required to report incidents of hazing to the university.
    2. Allegations of hazing may be reported via the Hazing Incident Report.
  3. Investigation/Referral
    1. The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is responsible for investigating and adjudication allegations of hazing.
      1. Individual students will follow student nonacademic disciplinary procedures outlined in Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 17.
      2. Registered Student Organizations will follow the disciplinary procedures outlined in UW-2002 Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct
    2. Hazing allegations involving individuals who are not students will be referred to the appropriate office.
  4. Hazing Prevention and Awareness Programming
    Research-informed hazing prevention and awareness training will be made available to students, staff, and faculty. This training will include information about this policy and other applicable university policies, how to recognize and report hazing, and strategies for intervening when hazing is witnessed or known about.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Hazing Incident Report

External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Policy Manager:
Director, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
Contact:
Director, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards -- Jennifer Horace, jennifer.horace@wisc.edu, (608) 262-5701
Effective Date:
06-23-2025
Date Issued:
06-19-2025
Retrieved:
06-19-2025 22:41:13