Report & Prevent Hazing

Hazing is against the West Virginia University Campus Student Code, West Virginia state law and has no place in fraternities or sororities.

If you feel that you or someone you know is being hazed, report by calling the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership, University Police, or Student Conduct.

File a report here

You may also report hazing by calling one of the following offices:

• Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership: (304) 293-8201
• UPD: (304) 293-COPS
• Student Conduct: (304) 293-8111

Anti-Hazing Policies (University & State of West Virginia)

According to the West Virginia University Campus Student Code, “Hazing” means any action or situation which (1) endangers or adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of another person or persons; (2) would cause extreme embarrassment or adversely affect the dignity of another person or persons; or (3) causes another person or persons to destroy or remove public or private property. This includes, but is not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced consumption of any food, alcohol, drug or other substance, any activity which would subject an individual or individuals to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation or forced exclusion from social contact. Hazing with or without the consent of a student is prohibited. Initiations or activities of student organizations are prohibited from including any feature that is dangerous, harmful, or degrading to the student. A violation of this prohibition renders both the organization and participating individuals subject to discipline. Any student who knowingly witnesses or acquiesces in the presence of hazing is also subject to discipline.

West Virginia State Law

§18-16-1. Short title.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Antihazing Law".

§18-16-2. Definitions.

(a) "Hazing" means to cause any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person or persons or causes another person or persons to destroy or remove public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education. The term includes, but is not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual or individuals, and includes any activity which would subject the individual or individuals to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual or individuals, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property: Provided, That the implied or expressed consent or willingness of a person or persons to hazing shall not be a defense under this section.

(b) "Institution of higher education" or "institution" means any public or private institution as defined in section two, article one, chapter eighteen-b of this code.

§18-16-3. Hazing prohibited.
Any person or persons who causes hazing is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or confined in a county or regional jail, not more than nine months, or both fined and imprisoned: Provided, That if the act would otherwise be deemed a felony as defined in this code, the person committing such act may be found guilty of such felony and be subject to penalties provided for such felony.

§18-16-4. Enforcement by institution.

(a) Anti-hazing policy. -- The university of West Virginia board of trustees created pursuant to article two, chapter eighteen-b of this code and the board of directors of the state college system created pursuant to article three of said chapter shall by the first day of August, one thousand nine hundred ninety-five, promulgate guidelines for anti-hazing policies.

(b) Enforcement and penalties.--

(1) Each institution shall provide a program for the enforcement of such rules and shall adopt appropriate penalties for violations of such rules to be administered by the person or agency at the institution responsible for the sanctioning or recognition of such organizations.

(2) In the case of an organization which authorizes hazing in blatant disregard of such rules, penalties may also include rescission of permission for that organization to operate on campus property or to otherwise operate under the sanction or recognition of the institution.

(3) All penalties imposed under the authority of this section shall be in addition to any penalty imposed for violation of section three of this article or of any of the criminal laws of this state or for violation of any other institutional rule to which the violator may be subject.

(4) Rules adopted pursuant hereto apply to acts conducted on or off campus whenever such acts are deemed to constitute hazing.