Hazing Related Policies
How to Report a Hazing-Related Concern
Click here to submit an incident report regarding a Hazing Incident
Hazing Investigative Process
- Report is submitted: alleged violation of Student Conduct Code.
- Preliminary investigation: Information gathering from complainant, witnesses and reporting parties (When possible, The Office of Standards will respond to the reporting parties within 48 hours). Letter and email notification of disciplinary meeting is sent to the student (Code Violations).
- Initial Disciplinary Meeting: Student attends a hearing with the Student Conduct Officer. Allegations are presented, and the student(s) are given the opportunity to respond and explain. All parties involved may be accompanied by a non-attorney assistant or advocate of his/her choice at any point during the process.
- Action based on findings: within ten business days, students are notified of the outcome of the initial disciplinary meeting.
*This process may be modified or expanded to include summary suspension or other actions based on the severity and nature of Code violations. For a full description of the Student Conduct Process, including Title IX related proceedings, please review the Highline College Student Conduct Code.
Possible actions include:
- Exoneration
- Disciplinary Warning (verbal)
- Written Reprimand
- Disciplinary Probation
- Disciplinary Suspension (specific time period)
- Disciplinary Dismissal (permanent removal)
- In some cases, the Student Conduct Officer may refer a student to the Student Conduct Committee for disciplinary action.
Student Code of Conduct Hazing Definition
The Student Code of Conduct defines hazing as:
(a) Hazing is any act committed as part of:
(i) A person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, maintenance of membership, or affiliation with a student group;
(ii) Any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such a student group; or
(iii) That causes, or is likely to cause, cause, or create a risk (beyond ordinary activities) of bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student.
(b) Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:
(i) Causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm;
(ii) Humiliation by ritual act;
(iii) Striking another person with an object or body part;
(iv) Causing someone to experience excessive fatigue, or physical and/or psychological shock; or
(v) Causing someone to engage in degrading or humiliating games or activities that create a risk of serious psychological, emotional, and/or physical harm.
(c) “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.
(d) Consent is not a valid defense against hazing.
State and Federal Hazing Laws
- Sam’s Law: Sam’s Law was established after 19-year-old freshman, Sam Martinez died of acute alcohol poisoning while pledging for a fraternity at Washington State University in 2019. House Bill 1751, Sam’s Law was signed into law in March 2022, and the law expands the legal definition of hazing, requires hazing education for all staff and students at colleges, and requires institutions to make public records of hazing and other misconduct by student organizations.
- RCW 28B.10.900 State Definition of Hazing
On December 23, 2024 the Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into federal law.
- This law requires institutions of higher education to report hazing incidents in their annual security report.
- The law defines hazing as:
- 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 (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.
- Institutions are required to make available information related to relevant policies and laws, how to report incidents, and how an investigation is conducted.
- Institutions are required to provide information regarding relevant awareness and prevention programs related to hazing.
- Lastly, institutions are required to develop a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that summarizes the findings of any recognized student organization that has been found in violation of university hazing policy.
Student Amnesty Policy
The Student Amnesty Policy encourages students to act quickly in emergencies related to drug/alcohol use without fear of disciplinary action through the code of conduct process. The Amnesty Policy applies to isolated incidents and supports responsible decision-making
In an emergency, call 911 or Public Safety immediately (206)-592-3218.
Prevention & Awareness Initiatives
Highline college provides opportunities for students, student organizations, faculty, and staff to participate in education focused on hazing awareness and prevention.
Highline College implements the following research-informed, campus-wide prevention strategies:
- Hazing Awareness and Prevention for Students: Online module required for all incoming students during orientation.
Programming Schedule
Fall Semester: Hazing Prevention Week, Orientation Training
Spring Semester: TBD
Hazing Transparency Report
To be available on July 2025 and posted twice a year.