Hazing Prevention at WSU

Washington State University’s hazing prevention and compliance efforts are grounded in transparency, accountability, and alignment with both state and federal law. In addition to meeting Washington’s no‑tolerance hazing requirements, WSU has implemented enhanced reporting and disclosure practices consistent with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.

Under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, institutions of higher education are required to publicly disclose hazing policies, implement campus‑wide, research‑informed prevention education, and report hazing incidents through established federal and institutional reporting mechanisms. WSU has aligned its practices to meet these requirements and to strengthen public access to information related to hazing prevention and response.

As part of this alignment, WSU:

  • Includes hazing-related incidents in the university’s Annual Security Report, as required under federal law
  • Maintains a publicly accessible Hazing Transparency Report, listing student organizations found responsible for hazing violations
  • Ensures that hazing policies, reporting processes, and prevention resources are available and accessible to the campus community and the public

These transparency measures are intended to support prevention by increasing awareness, encouraging reporting, and reinforcing shared responsibility across campus communities. Public reporting is not solely punitive; it is part of a broader framework designed to clarify expectations, promote accountability, and inform ongoing education and prevention efforts.

Transparency Report

The following is a list of student organizations that have been investigated for violating the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and details about how Washington State University conducted investigations and held groups accountable. This website provides information in compliance with RCW 28B.10.906 for WSU Pullman Student Organizations, athletic teams, and Living Groups.

  • The report will include the following information:
  • The name of the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
  • The date the investigation was initiated;
  • The date on which the investigation ended with a finding that a violation occurred;
  • A description of the incident or incidents, including the date of the initial violation and the violations, findings, and sanctions placed on the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
  • The details of the sanction or sanctions imposed, including the beginning and end dates of the sanction or sanctions, and 
  • The date the student organization, athletic team, or living group was charged with a violation.

Any hazing violation of a student organization, athletic team, or living group will be made public for at least five years.  

Relevants Laws and Guidelines

Sam's Law - RCW 28B.10.905

Sam's Law requires all public colleges and universities in the state of Washington to establish a hazing prevention committee to increase transparency about hazing education and intervention (see below). It also increases the penalties for hazing: under Sam's Law, hazing is a gross misdemeanor instead of a lower-level misdemeanor, and incidents involving death or “substantial bodily harm” could be charged as felonies.

The law is named after Sam Martinez, a first-year WSU student who died in a hazing-related incident in 2019. For more information about Sam's Law, visit the Washington State Legislature website.

Stop Campus Hazing Act

The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires higher education institutions to include hazing incidents in their Annual Security Reports starting in 2025. Colleges must implement evidence-based hazing prevention and education programs and make related policies publicly available. The law also mandates the creation of a publicly accessible Hazing Transparency Report, updated twice a year, listing student organizations found responsible for hazing. These requirements aim to increase transparency, promote student safety, and strengthen campus-wide hazing prevention efforts.

Learn more about the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

Revised Code of Washington 28B.10.901

Hazing prohibited—Penalty.
(1) No student, or other person in attendance at any public or private institution of higher education, or any other postsecondary educational institution, may intentionally haze another.
(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a violation of subsection (1) of this section is a gross misdemeanor, punishable as provided under RCW 9A.20.021.
(b) A violation of subsection (1) of this section that causes substantial bodily harm, as defined in RCW 9A.04.110, to another person is a class C felony.
(3) Any student organization, association, or student living group that permits hazing is strictly liable for damages caused to persons or property resulting from hazing. If the student organization, association, or student living group is a corporation whether for profit or nonprofit, the individual directors of the corporation may be held individually liable for damages.
Revised Code of Washington 28B.10.901

WSU Code of Conduct: Hazing

Hazing can be physical or mental and can occur even if participation is voluntary. Here are some examples of activities that are considered hazing:

  • Physical harm: Hitting someone or forcing them into overly tiring or unnatural physical activities.
  • Psychological or emotional harm: Any activities that are humiliating, degrading, or cause psychological distress.
  • Forcing consumption: Making someone drink alcohol, take drugs, or eat something they don't want to.
  • Using alcohol in new member activities: Alcohol presence at any activities targeted toward new members.

Normal sports practices, training, and conditioning for athletic events are not considered hazing. This applies to intramural sports, club sports, or NCAA athletics.

Hazing is prohibited everywhere, both on and off campus.

See the WSU Student Code of Conduct

Good Samaritan Guideline

The WSU Good Samaritan Guideline ensures that students experiencing alcohol and/or drug intoxication receive prompt and appropriate attention without receiving any formal discipline for alcohol or drug use and possession under our community standards (for you and the intoxicated individual). For more information on the guidelines and what is and is not covered, see the Good Samaritan Guideline page.

Transparency as Prevention

Transparency supports hazing prevention by helping students, families, and campus partners better understand what hazing is, how it is addressed, and how to report concerns. Clear, accessible reporting practices reinforce institutional accountability and contribute to safer, more informed campus environments.