Hazing

William Woods University prohibits hazing of any kind. Hazing is defined as any actions taken or situation created to produce mental, emotional, or physical discomfort or harm for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in an organization. A person’s willingness to participate in an act of hazing does not justify, exempt, or excuse the act. Violations of the hazing policy will be referred to the University Community Standards process. Participation in hazing activities may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension, dismissal, and/or termination of an individual, team, or organization.

An individual or organization commits a hazing violation under this policy if an individual or any combination of members, leadership, new members, prospective members, guests, volunteers, alumni, or advisors: (a) engages in hazing; (b) solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another engaging in hazing; (c) condones or recklessly allows hazing and/or does not take reasonable steps to prevent hazing.

Examples of hazing are included below. These examples are intended to be illustrative and not all-inclusive:

Physical injury.
Kidnapping, imprisonment, or personal servitude.
Intentionally causing or inducing mental or emotional stress.
Degradation, humiliation, or compromising of moral values.
Forced consumption of any substance.
Placing an individual’s health or safety at risk.
Impairment of physical liberties, which include specific restrictions or interference with academic endeavors.
Pressuring or coercing any person to participate in activities that are inconsistent with the University’s community standards or policies or applicable law.

Hazing is prohibited by Missouri law and could result in the criminal prosecution of any individual involved in an activity defined as hazing. The State of Missouri Anti-Hazing Law:
§ 578.365. Hazing -- consent not a defense -- penalties [Effective January 1, 2017]

A person commits the offense of hazing if he or she knowingly participates in or causes a willful act, occurring on or off the campus of a public or private college or university, directed against a student or a prospective member of an organization operating under the sanction of a public or private college or university, that recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or prospective member for the purpose of initiation or admission into or continued membership in any such organization to the extent that such person is knowingly placed at probable risk of the loss of life or probable bodily or psychological harm. Acts of hazing include: (1) Any activity which recklessly endangers the physical health or safety of the student or prospective member, including but not limited to physical brutality, whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or forced smoking or chewing of tobacco products; (2) Any activity which recklessly endangers the mental health of the student or prospective member, including but not limited to sleep deprivation, physical confinement, or other extreme stress inducing activity; or (3) Any activity that requires the student or prospective member to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the criminal laws of this state or any political subdivision in this state.
Public or private colleges or universities in this state shall adopt a written policy prohibiting hazing by any organization operating under the sanction of the institution.
Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as creating a new private cause of action against any educational institution.
Consent is not a defense to hazing. Section 565.010 does not apply to hazing cases or to homicide cases arising out of hazing activity.
The offense of hazing is 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.