Hazing Awareness, Prevention & Reporting
Whitworth University honors traditions that foster connection, purpose and pride. These rituals must always uphold dignity and mutual respect, not cause harm or humiliation. Hazing is strictly prohibited and stands in direct opposition to Whitworth's mission as a Christ-centered, mind-and-heart institution.
What Is Hazing?
Hazing includes any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them, regardless of their willingness to participate.
Examples include:
- Forced consumption of substances
- Sleep deprivation or isolation
- Physical or psychological abuse
- Coerced tasks or servitude
Whitworth's Anti-Hazing Commitment
- Zero tolerance: Hazing is not permitted in any student organization, athletic team or campus group.
- Education first: We equip students, faculty and staff to recognize and prevent hazing through training and dialogue.
- Accountability: All community members are responsible for upholding our standards and reporting concerns.
Duty to Report
If you witness or suspect hazing:
- Report immediately to the Whitworth Office of Student Life.
- Required reporters (faculty, staff, student employees) must file a report at the first opportunity if they have reasonable cause to believe hazing has occurred or may occur.
- Reports can also be made anonymously or to local law enforcement.
Contact: studentconduct@whitworth.edu
Annual Hazing Report
In accordance with WA State House Bill 1751 (Sam's Law) and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA), Whitworth University publicly reports all reported hazing violations, as of Aug. 1, 2022, to promote transparency and accountability. View the Academic Year Report here.
The report includes*:
- Number of incidents reported
- Name of involved student organization, athletic team or living group
- Date the investigation was initiated
- Date the investigation ended with a finding that a violation occurred
- Description of the incident
- Details of the sanctions imposed and date the student organization, athletic team or living group was charged with a violation
*The report will not include any personal or identifying information of individual students and is subject to the requirements of the federal Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). Whitworth will maintain reports for five years and post reports on this webpage at least 45 calendar days before the start of the fall academic term and at least 10 days before the start of all other academic terms. Investigations that do not result in a finding of formal violations of the Whitworth Student Code of Conduct or state or federal law will not be included in the report.
2024-25 Summary:
- Number of total reported incidents:
- 0
2023-24 Summary:
- Number of total reported incidents:
- 0
Education & Training
Whitworth offers mandatory training for all incoming students, student leaders and athletes.