Anti-Hazing

WPI takes hazing prevention seriously—for individuals and organizations, hazing has no place at the university. The Student Activities Office has compiled several resources to help you as an individual or as an organization to prevent hazing from occurring.

Hazing Information at WPI

What is Hazing?

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Sections 17, 18 and 19 define hazing as: 

"Any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person.”  

In summary, Massachusetts law (reproduced in its entirety below) requires three things: 

  1. Defines hazing and establishes criminal penalties (up to a $3,000 fine and/or one year in jail) for anyone who organizes or participates in hazing (MGL, ch. 269, section 17).
  2. Requires anyone with knowledge that a hazing incident has occurred to report it to law enforcement. Failure to report can result in a fine of up to $1,000. (MGL, ch. 269, section 18).
  3. Requires educational institutions to issue copies of the anti-hazing law to students and student organizations, and to file annual reports with the state confirming their compliance. (MGL, ch. 269, section 19).  

In accordance with this Massachusetts law defined below, any student or student organization involved in an incident of hazing will be subject to disciplinary action through WPI’s Student Code of Conduct. 

Violations of this policy will be adjudicated according to the procedures written in the resolution and appeals process (RAP).  

What to do if you experience Hazing?
  • Refuse to participate. Don't allow hazing to go on.
  • Expect respectful treatment. Stand up to anyone who tries to haze you.
  • Make a change in your organization's new member program.
  • Report it.
    • A hazing incident may be reported to WPI by anyone: a person who was directly affected by the activity, a person who was involved in the incident; staff, parents, friends, or community members; or anyone who is generally concerned about a student group. If you have witnessed or have knowledge of a possible hazing incident, please report his incident immediately. You are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible so that appropriate action can be taken to address the behavior.
    • When a report is received, measures are taken to prevent retaliation, and the identities of the reporter(s) are kept confidential during the investigation and resolution.  To report known or suspected hazing, contact any of the university officials below: 
Concern Area  Office Contact  Contact Name  Contact Email  Contact Phone 
General (all)  Campus Police  Campus Police Staff  police@wpi.edu  508-831-5555 
General (student related)  Dean of Students  Dean of Students Office  deanofstudents@wpi.edu  508-831-5201 
Student Organizations  Student Activities Office  Christine Ziev  cziev@wpi.edu  508-831-5291 
Athletics   Athletics Director  Dana Harmon  dharmon@wpi.edu  508-831-5024 
Academics  Dean of Undergraduate Studies  Arne Gericke  agericke@wpi.edu   508-831-5263 
Faculty/Staff Talent and Inclusion Stanley Horton shorton@wpi.edu 508-831-6514
  • Alternatively, any WPI community member may submit information anonymously through EthicsPoint, a confidential reporting system used by WPI.
  • Alternative Reporting Lines
  • Anyone concerned about hazing can report it by calling the Anti-Hazing Hotline (888) 668-4293 or (888) NOT-HAZE.
  • Call the Hazing Hotline anonymously at 1-888- NOT-HAZE
Hazing Policies and Guidelines

HAZING EDUCATION

In a national study, 7 out of 10 students reported that they experienced at least one hazing behavior to join or maintain membership on the team or in a social Greek-letter organization.