University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Hazing Policy

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens P​oint prohibits hazing in all forms. Hazing committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a recognized or unrecognized ​student organization does not contribute to the positive development and welfare of any individual or group and is antithetical to the mission of the institution.

​Definitions

Under the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act​:​​

Hazing: "means 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, that: causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:

1. whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;

2. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;

3. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;

4. causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;

5. any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;

6. any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and

7. any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person ​to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.”​

State of Wisconsin Statute 948.51 - Hazing Definition:

1. In this section "forced activity" means any activity which is a condition of initiation or admission into or affiliation with an organization, regardless of a student's willingness to participate in the activity.​
   

2. No person may intentionally or re​cklessly engage in acts which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating in connection with a school, college or university. Under those circumstances, prohibited acts may include any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, forced confinement or any other forced activity which endangers the physical health or safety of the student.​
   

3. Whoever violates sub. (2) is guilty of: (a) A Class A misdemeanor if the act results in or is likely to result in bodily harm to another. (b) A Class E felony if the act results in great bodily harm or death to another​
   

Student Organization: ​An 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.​

Reporting Alleged Incidents of Hazing

Students, faculty, staff, and others can report alleged hazing incidents ​by using the online​ UW-Stevens Point Official Repo​rting Form​. Under "Nature of the report," select Hazing.

Reports of alleged hazing are also sent to University Police and Security Services so they can include​​​​ statistics for incidents of hazing in the institution's Annual Security Report if the incident(s) occured on Clery Act defined geography.

Investigations of Hazing​

​Reports of alleged hazing incidents involving students are referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for investigation in accordance with the “Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures,” Chapter UWSP 17​. If an employee of UW-Stevens Point is alleged to have been involved in hazing, the employee accountability process is unique depending on the employment category of the individuals involved (i.e., Academic Staff, Faculty, University Staff). Policies governing employee accountability are found in the University Handbook​.​​​​​