Hazing Information and Resources

 WPO 5.10-4 Hazing Prevention and Programming (Op5.25)

Hazing Policy Statement

Students

The University prohibits acts of hazing in its Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (“Code”).  Hazing is defined as any act committed by a Student member, or Student members, of a Student Organization against another Student or Students that is (1) committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a Student Organization; and (2) causes or creates an unreasonable risk of physical or psychological injury including, but not limited to – (i) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; (ii) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activities; (iii) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; (iv) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; (v) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; (vi) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law, and (vii) 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.

Failure by a group’s or organization’s executive officers to intervene to prevent, discourage, and/or report hazing of which they are aware or reasonably should be aware also will be deemed a violation of this policy.

Participation, cooperation, or willingness of the Students to participate in the act subject to this provision is not an excuse for the violation.

Activities that can be reasonably expected to be encountered in the course of participation in the Student Organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team) are not in and of themselves acts of hazing. 

Faculty/Staff

Faculty and Staff found to have condoned, supported, encouraged, or to have otherwise tolerated Hazing as defined by the Code will be subject to disciplinary action under the Faculty Handbook or Employee Handbook, as appropriate.

Reporting Acts of Hazing

Individuals may report hazing to local law enforcement. For a University response to suspected hazing, allegations of hazing should be reported to the Office of Student Life and Development or the Vice Chancellor of Student Services.  The University’s Office of Student Life and Development will investigate allegations of hazing involving students.  Such University investigation may include interviewing participants, reviewing materials provided, and other acts necessary to ascertain whether a violation of hazing has occurred. 

As set forth in the Code, the University intends to minimize any hesitation that students might have in obtaining help due to concern that their own behavior might be a violation of University policy. The University pursues a Good Citizen policy of limited immunity for students who offer help to others in need. While policy violations cannot be overlooked, the University, to the extent possible, will consider the positive impact of reporting an incident on the welfare of students when determining the appropriate response for University policy violations.

Related Laws

In addition to being a violation of University policy, hazing is also prohibited under Missouri law.  Missouri Revised Statute Section 578.365 establishes Hazing as a class A misdemeanor, unless the act creates a substantial risk to the life of the student or prospective member, in which case it is a class D felony. Finally, The Stop Campus Hazing Act (20 U.S.C. §1092), requires university’s to undertake certain actions to address the risk of hazing on university campuses.

Campus Prevention Programs

The University has partnered with StopHazing.org to generate research-informed prevention programs for University stakeholders.  The University engages students, faculty, and staff affiliated with Student Organizations, as defined by the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, with its primary hazing prevention program.  The University makes this program available to all members of the campus community through its Office of Student Life and Development website. 

Additional programming may be required of student organizations as a consequence of a finding of responsibility through the University’s Office of Student Life and Development. 

Missouri State-West Plains provides free training to students on hazing prevention.

To request a presentation send an email to WPStudentLife@MissouriState.edu. In the email please include:

• your name,
• the name of your organization (if requesting for an organization)
• the date and time of the presentation,
• the topics you would like to address.
  • Examples include but are not limited to:
    • Bystander intervention
    • Identifying hazing
    • Building community
    • Ethical leadership

The Office of Student Life and Development can also receive reports via:

• Phone: (417)255-7233
• Email: WPStudentLife@MissouriState.edu

The following resources are available for support:

• Student Life and Development: (417) 255-7233
• Residence Life: (417) 255-8020
• Student Services: (417) 255-7256
• 911 if there is a life-threatening emergency