Hazing Policy

Wellesley College Hazing Policy

Updated June 2025

I. Statement of Purpose

Hazing is a violation of Wellesley College policy, Massachusetts law and federal law. Wellesley College is committed to providing an environment of well-being, learning, and accountability for its community members. To this end, the Wellesley College Hazing Policy is grounded in three community standards derived from the Honor Code that applies to both individuals and groups.

1. Compliance with governing law and College policies;
2. Respect for this community, through the prevention/zero tolerance of hazing; and
3. Accountability for reporting.

This policy informs students of their individual and community responsibilities regarding hazing, the college's response to Hazing Policy violations, and the resources available for addressing concerns related to hazing or suspected hazing. The Dean of Students Office is primarily responsible for the enforcement of this policy. Students are expected to contact campus police immediately if someone is at risk of physical harm. The Dean of Students and/or her designee will impose or modify sanctions for violations of this policy, as they deem appropriate in their sole discretion. This policy applies to all Wellesley students whether they are on or off the Wellesley campus.

II. Community Standards

A. Compliance with Governing Law and College Policies

Students are expected to comply with all governing laws, including, but not limited to the Massachusetts Anti-Hazing Law (Mass. Gen. Laws. Chapter 269, §§ 17, 18, 19), the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646) and College policies.

Under the Massachusetts Anti-Hazing Law, hazing includes 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. Violations of Mass. Gen. Laws, Chapter 269, § 17 are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. A person’s consent to a hazing activity does not serve as a defense to the prohibited conduct.

Under the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, hazing means 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 institution of higher education or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.

Wellesley College expects that its students and community members will not engage in conduct that is defined as hazing under the Massachusetts Anti-Hazing Law, the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act and as otherwise determined by the College.

B. Respect for this Community, through the Prevention/Zero Tolerance of Hazing

It is impossible to list all possible hazing activities. The Massachusetts Anti-Hazing Law and the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act contain examples of activities that constitute hazing. The list below, which is not exhaustive, provides other examples of hazing activities that would violate the law and this policy.

Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new initiates/members or prospective members and other members of a group or team. These behaviors may include, but are not limited to:

• Encouraging or facilitating stunts, including but not limited to, acts of reckless behavior, and the wearing of apparel that is degrading or demeaning.
• Activities involving interrogation or verbal abuse.

Behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like a part of the group. These behaviors may include, but not limited to:

• Creating any situation that is uncomfortable due to temperature, noise, air quality, or other threatening conditions.
• Encouraging or expecting an individual to carry items that have no immediate personal utility.
• Activities that cause psychological stress, including, but not limited to, any deception designed to convince a student that he/she will not be initiated, will be removed from the group, or will be injured during any activity.

Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional, or psychological harm. These behaviors may include, but not limited to:

• Activities or events that facilitate rapid drinking, drinking games, intoxication or impairment.
• Actions taken or situations created which may foreseeably cause pain, injury, undue physical stress, or fatigue, including, but is not limited to, paddling, hitting, slapping, pushing, shoving, burning, shocking, tackling, and excessive physical activity.
• Activities including any type of confinement, restraint, kidnapping, blindfolding, or transportation and abandonment.

C. Accountability for Reporting

Students are responsible for reporting incidents of hazing and suspected hazing. Failure to report an incident of hazing will be viewed by the College as a violation of the Hazing Policy. Failure to report an incident of hazing may also constitute a violation of state and/or federal law. Incidents of hazing or suspected hazing by students should be reported to the Honor Code, and/or to one of the following:

• PERA professional staff or coaches
• Office of Student Involvement professional staff
• Office of Residential life professional staff
• Campus Police (students are expected to contact campus police immediately if someone is at risk of physical harm)

Incidents of hazing or suspected hazing by faculty or staff should be reported to the Office of Human Resources.

These offices are considered mandatory reporters and must share all reports of hazing or suspected hazing with the Office of the Dean of Students.

If you have questions regarding hazing, reporting obligations, or any other aspect of this policy, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudentsoffice@wellesley.edu.

III. Sanctions

The College may charge an individual or a group with a violation of this Hazing Policy via the Honor Code Charge Procedures.

Sanctions will be imposed in accordance with the severity of the violation and will be determined by the Honor Code Council. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

• Restorative action, which may include restitution for damages, community service, or an educational assignment.
• Student Organization/team probation, which may result in the loss of privileges such as hosting events and SOFC support.
• Residential Probation, the duration of which will be determined on a case by case basis. During this period of time, any further violation of a College policy will jeopardize the student’s housing privileges.
• Modification, suspension, or loss of College privileges.
• Suspension, dismissal, or expulsion from the College.
  

When the College determines that organizations that fall under national governing boards, including, but not limited to, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”), have engaged in hazing activities, the advisor for the student group will be informed of the violation and may be required to report the activities to the national governing board, which may take further action consistent with the organization’s policies and bylaws. The advisor for the Wellesley organization is expected to consult with the Honor Code Council to ensure all national regulations are enforced.

Violators of this policy may range from an individual student to a group of students, and their actions may impact an entire Wellesley organization and other members of the Wellesley community. Notification of any sanctions imposed by the Honor Code Council will be sent to the violator student via email and in writing. Any violator who fails to comply with any requirements or sanctions may be charged with an additional Honor Code violation. In addition, the College may notify impacted student organizations and the community of imposed sanctions as it determines is appropriate.

Appeals

Sanctions and decisions may be appealed to the Honor Code Hearing Review Panel in accordance to the Honor Code Procedures.

Records & Documentation

Hazing Policy violations will be maintained in College records according to the Honor Code Procedures. Hazing Policy violations will be disclosed according to the guidelines set forth in the Honor Code Procedures.

IV. Resources

Self-Care

The College encourages students to engage in self-care and informed decision-making. To reduce the likelihood of being in dangerous situations, students should be aware of their rights and available resources. It is important for students to understand what constitutes hazing and be familiar with the College’s hazing policy, Massachusetts law and Federal law.

The College strongly encourages students to use the resources and supports available for addressing concerns regarding hazing or suspected hazing or for guidance regarding positive team or community building activities.

Students seeking assistance through Health or Counseling Services will receive confidential services to the extent permissible in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. College resources include:

Wellesley College hazing prevention and awareness programs

Wellesley College has a multi-pronged program for education and prevention of hazing incidents on our campus. This prevention program includes but is not limited to:

• Inclusion of anti-hazing training information in the new student checklist and in the orientation program for incoming students.

• Anti-hazing training for student leaders, including residential life student leaders, athletes, student organization leaders, and orientation mentors.

• National Hazing Prevention Week: Distribution of Wellesley College’s Anti-Hazing Policy to all faculty, staff and students annually during National Hazing Prevention Week in September to raise awareness.

• Periodic reminders sent to students of the policy and reporting obligations by the Office of the Dean of Students.

• United Educators Risk Reduction Training: Recognize and Prevent Hazing

• Tailored training for student groups available upon request to the Office of the Dean of Students.