On this page

  1. Purpose
  2. Definition of Hazing
  3. Reporting Procedures
  4. Investigation and Determination of Facts Relative to an Alleged Violation of this Policy
  5. Consequences of a Violation of this Policy
  6. Responsibilities
  7. Prevention and Education
  8. Policy Review and Updates
  9. Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) c. 269, Sections 17-19

I. Purpose

Wheaton College is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of its community. Hazing, in any form, is antithetical to the values and mission of the College and is strictly prohibited. This policy outlines the College’s stance against hazing, defines what constitutes hazing, details reporting procedures, and describes the consequences for violations. It also provides the full text of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 269, Sections 17-19, which govern hazing in the Commonwealth.

II. Definition of Hazing

In Massachusetts, hazing is a crime. Hazing includes any conduct or method of initiation into or admission into a student organization, club, athletic team, or association, or of continuation of membership therein, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Physical Hazing: Any forced consumption of food, alcohol, or drugs; forced exposure to the elements; forced calisthenics or other physical activities; deprivation of sleep; or any other activity that subjects a person to pain, embarrassment, or physical injury.
  • Mental/Emotional Hazing: Any activity that subjects a person to humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, degradation, or psychological distress; forced servitude; or any activity that interferes with a person’s academic performance or ability to participate in College life.

A person’s willingness to participate in such activity is no defense. Hazing can occur regardless of the intent of those involved and whether or not harm was intended.

III. Reporting Procedures

Any member of the Wheaton College community who believes that hazing has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur, has a responsibility to report such information immediately.

Emergency Situations: In an emergency or if immediate danger is present, call Campus Safety at (508) 286-3333 and/or call local police at 911.

Non-Emergency Reporting: Reports of alleged hazing may also be made directly to:

  • Dean of Students Office: Dr. Zachary Irish, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, 508-286-8218, [email protected]
  • Athletics and Recreation: Lisa Yenush, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/SWA, 508-286-3982, [email protected]
  • Office of Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership (SAIL): Rachel Pink, Director of SAIL, 508-286-8222, [email protected]
  • Office of Residential Life: Tim Jordan, Assistant Dean, Residential Life, 508-286-3809, [email protected]
  • Department of Campus Safety: Chief Roy Mulcahy, Director of Campus Safety, 508-286-5808, [email protected]
  • Reports can also be made anonymously through the following reporting options:
    • Community Reporting Options. The Community Reporting Options, specifically the Student and/or Community Concern Report, is available on the insideWheaton portal (login required) for faculty, staff, and students under the Campus Life page.
    • LiveSafe App. The LiveSafe App is available to the community and provides a direct reporting line to Campus Safety, allowing community members to anonymously report tips as well as seek help.

IV. Investigation and Determination of Facts Relative to an Alleged Violation of this Policy

All reports will be taken seriously and investigated promptly and thoroughly, with appropriate discretion and regard for the safety and privacy of all involved parties, to the extent possible.

For allegations of hazing involving students, the Dean of Students Office will follow the  Student Conduct Procedures outlined in the Student Handbook to investigate and make determinations regarding alleged violations of this Policy.  Allegations of hazing that implicate the College’s Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy or the College’s Non-Title IX Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy for Students will be addressed under those policies by the Office of the Title IX Coordinator.

Allegations of hazing involving faculty will be referred to the Office of the Provost for investigation and determination.

Allegations of hazing involving staff will be referred to Human Resources for investigation and determination.

V. Consequences of a Violation of this Policy

Violations of this policy will result in serious disciplinary action for individuals and/or student organizations, clubs, or athletic teams, up to and including:

For Individuals:

  • Conduct probation
  • Suspension
  • Suspension held in abeyance
  • Expulsion from the College
  • Removal from leadership positions within organizations
  • Referral to law enforcement authorities as required by M.G.L. c. 269, sections 17 and 19

For Organizations, Clubs, or Athletic Teams:

  • Loss of College recognition
  • Suspension of activities
  • Suspension of activities held in abeyance
  • Loss of facility usage
  • Financial penalties
  • Probation
  • Dissolution of the organization

These sanctions are in addition to any penalties prescribed by Massachusetts law.

VI. Responsibilities

  • Students: All students are responsible for participating in mandatory training and prevention, as well as understanding and adhering to this policy and for reporting any known hazing incidents.
  • Student Organizations/Athletic Teams: Organizations, clubs, and athletic teams are responsible for educating their members about this policy and ensuring compliance. Leaders of such groups are expected to actively promote a safe and inclusive environment.
  • Faculty and Staff: Faculty and staff are responsible for maintaining a safe environment, reporting suspected hazing, and cooperating with investigations. They are also encouraged to serve as role models in fostering a culture of respect.
  • Wheaton College Administration: The College administration is responsible for enforcing this policy, providing education and training, and conducting investigations.

VII. Prevention and Education

Wheaton College is committed to proactive measures to prevent hazing, including but not limited to:

  • Providing mandatory educational programs for all students, particularly those involved in student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams.
  • Ensuring new student orientation includes information about hazing prevention.
  • Providing all students with a copy of the College’s Hazing Policy.
  • Providing mandatory educational programs for all College employees.
  • Providing all employees with a copy of the College’s Hazing Policy.
  • Promoting a culture of respect, personal responsibility, and healthy group dynamics.

VIII. Policy Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually by the College to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with state law. Any updates will be communicated to the College community.

IX. Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) c. 269, Sections 17-19

Section 17: Hazing; organizing or participating; hazing defined

Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.

The term ”hazing” as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean 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. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.

Section 18: Failure to report hazing

Section 18. Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

Section 19: Copy of Secs. 17 to 19; issuance to students and student groups, teams and organizations; report

Section 19. Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of post secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations.

Each such group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution an attested acknowledgement stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to its students. The board of higher education and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.