1290. Interim
This policy was adopted under the interim policymaking provisions of the University's Policy on Policies on January 29, 2026. Information about this policy change, and any proposals for further policymaking can be accessed at the University Policy website. Students and employees may submit comments on those proposals through the Proposed Policy Change Comment Form.
1290.1 Purpose
This policy established Wright State University's (the "University") hazing prevention policy. As part of its commitment to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment for the University community and cultivating a culture that fosters respect for the dignity and rights of all its members, the University does not tolerate hazing activities by members of the University community, including students, student organizations (as defined in this policy), staff, and faculty.
As required by O.R.C. 2903.31 and by the Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024, the University maintains a Hazing webpage that provides information concerning any report of hazing misconduct by student organizations and student groups for the current academic year, as well as for the previous five (5) academic years. This website will include a brief description of the alleged misconduct, the outcome/finding concerning the alleged misconduct, and any corrective action or discipline taken.
1290.2 Definitions
The following definitions apply to this policy only.
- Compliance Officer: The term "Compliance Officer" means a designated full-time member of the University's administration tasked to investigate or determine whether hazing has occurred.
- Confidential Resource: The term "Confidential Resource" means any staff or faculty who is not a mandatory reporter and is not obligated by this policy to share knowledge and reports of hazing, and may include: (1) licensed mental health professionals; (2) licensed healthcare providers acting within the scope of their licensure; and (3) licensed attorneys working in Student Legal Services. Nonetheless, a confidential resource must follow reporting obligations where they obtain knowledge or: (1) an imminent threat of harm to self or others; or (2) abuse of vulnerable populations (e.g., minors, the disabled, the elderly, etc.).
- Hazing: The term "Hazing" shall be consistent with O.R.C. 2903.31 and means doing any of the following, or pressuring, causing, forcing, soliciting, or coercing any person to do any of the following for the purpose of initiative, admitting, or affiliating an individual into or with a student organization; continuing or enhancing an individual's membership or status in a student organization; or perpetuating or furthering a tradition or ritual of a student organization:
- Engage in any conduct prohibited by federal and/or state and/or municipal criminal law, regardless of whether an arrest is made, or criminal charges are brought;
- Take into their body any food, liquid (including alcohol), drug, or other substance that subjects the person to a substantial risk of mental or physical harm;
- Cause or create a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to another and/or engage in any act or omission that contributes to the death of another;
- Engage in activities performed without compensation and for the personal benefit of other members of the student organization in which such person seeks membership, including, but not limited to, driving, cooking, cleaning, serving meals, running errands, picking up laundry, and purchasing items on another's behalf; or
- Engage in activity of a sexual nature, including, but not limited to, performing sex acts or recording nudity or sexual activity.
For the purposes of this policy, "Hazing" also includes the observation of and failure to stop any of the above activities by people in a position to intervene, including, but not limited to, the advisors, coaches, leaders, members, and officers of student organizations.
"Hazing" does not include either of the following:
- Reasonable and customary organizational training, contents, competitions, or other activities that are explicitly relevant to the mission of the organization; and/or
- Lawful expressive activities that are protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, Section 11 of Article I of the Ohio Constitution, or Sections 3345.0211 through 3345.0214 of the Revised Code.
- Mandatory Reporter. The term "Mandatory Reporter" means any person required to report knowledge of hazing, and includes: (1) any full or part-time University employee, including student employees and graduate assistance; (2) any volunteer acting in an official capacity who advises or coaches student organizations and/or student groups and who have direct contact with students; and (3) any person employed by the University with a duty to report hazing and abuse by Ohio law. University employees who are required by law to protect confidentiality and confidential resources are exempt from this requirement, except where they obtain knowledge of: (1) an imminent threat of harm to self or others; (2) abuse of vulnerable populations (e.g., minors, the disabled, the elderly, etc.).
- Student. The term "student" means any person enrolled at Wright State University in any academic program, including the College Credit Plus and Wright Path programs. The term "student" include, but is not limited to, regularly matriculating students enrolled at Main Campus or Lake Campus, graduate and/or pre-professional students, students who have matriculated, withdrawn, or otherwise separated from campus.
- Student Organization. The term "student organization" means an organization or student group at the University (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, intramural team, fraternity, sorority, band, military organizations, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the University, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.
- Student Organization Member. The term "student organization member" means any individual associated or affiliated with a student organization, even if they are not enrolled in or employed by the University, including, but not limited to, alumni of the student organization, ex officio members of the student organization, or members enrolled at another campus.
1290.3 Scope
This policy applies to activities which occur on or off University premises, including, but not limited to: (1) activities held at off-campus facilities owned or controlled by student organizations; (2) University-sponsored or approved activities; and (3) non-University activities involving students. This policy also applies to all activities occurring at any location at which the University provides educational, experiential, or service-based opportunities to its students, including, but not limited to, study abroad programs, service trips, experiential learning opportunities, and athletic and club sport events. This policy further applies to online activities, events, and meetings, including video conferences, social media platforms, or group chats.
1290.4 Reporting
Any person having knowledge of any activity or conduct that may constitute hazing shall report their concerns to the University through any of the following methods:
- By completing and submitting a Hazing Reporting Form to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct ("OCS");
- Visiting and making a report to OCS at 201 Student Union;
- Calling the University's Department of Public Safety ("DPS") at 937-775-2111;
- Visiting and making a report to DPS at 108 Allyn Hall; or
- Submitting a written complaint through EthicsPoint.
Additionally, if the reporting party believes such activity or conduct involves a University employee or a failure to report by a University employee, they may report such act or failure to act to the University's Office of Human Resources ("OHR") by:
- Calling OHR at 937-775-2120; or
- Visiting and making a report to OHR at 203 University Hall
Note: University offices are not usually staffed after-hours or on days when the University is officially closed. If a report requires an immediate action or response, please submit the report to DPS or through EthicsPoint.
Failing to promptly report suspected hazing could result in criminal charges under the Ohio Revised Code.
Mandatory reporters must immediately report any information about actual or suspected hazing, whether past, ongoing, or planned. Reports shall be submitted through the authorized reporting channels described above. This Policy does not require a mandatory reporter acting in a professional capacity (e.g., attorney, physician) to report information they receive in such capacity and that would be otherwise confidential or privileged under applicable law. Mandatory reporters shall not report incidences anonymously and shall ensure that their identification information is provided with all such reports.
1290.5 Response to Report
If a report is received other than through the EthicsPoint system, the University office that receives the report shall: (1) immediately notify the University's Department of Public Safety ("DPS"); and (2) promptly submit such report through the EthicsPoint system and notify the University's Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance. When reporting, the University office shall provide: (1) the date and time at which the original report was initially received; (2) the identity of the reporter and the party who received the report; and (3) the detailed of the report.
All reports shall be promptly reviewed by Vice President for Compliance (or their designee) to determine a follow-up plan that may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
- Interim Measures. The Vice President for Compliance (or their designee) may institute interim measures, as provided under other applicable policies and procedures, during the pendency of investigations, including, but not limited to: (1) no-contact orders; (2) immediate suspension from the University; (4) placement on paid administrative leave.
- Investigation. The Vice President for Compliance (or their designee), in their sole discretion, may initiate an investigation where a report contains insufficient factual allegations to determine whether a violation of this policy has occurred. The Vice President for Compliance (or their designee) shall initiate an investigation where: (1) a report has been received from an identified reporter; (2) the reporter indicates that they are willing to participate in an investigation; and (3) there are sufficient allegations in the report that, if true, would state a violation of this policy.
- Investigations will be conducted in accordance with applicable University policies and procedures. A Compliance Officer shall be appointed in writing by the Vice President for Compliance (or their designee). Such appointment shall be accompanied by a memorandum that shall specify the matters to be investigated, the evidentiary standard to be used, and the investigators' powers and duties. The Compliance Officer shall user their appointed powers and duties to complete the investigation in a reasonable period of time. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Compliance Officer shall produce a written report that includes: (1) the steps taken by the Compliance Officer to investigate the matters stated in the appointment memorandum; (2) all relevant findings of fact; (3) their conclusion as to whether a violation of this Policy occurred; and (4) if so, the identity of the person(s) and/or organization(s) who are accountable.
- If the investigation substantiates a violation of this Policy, the Vice President for Compliance (or their designee) will refer the report to the relevant office(s) for initiation of disciplinary action or other similar proceedings.
The University reserves the right in all instances, at all times, to refer alleged or substantiated violations of this Policy to external regulators, government authorities, and other relevant parties (e.g., state or national offices of student organizations) for investigation or sanctioning.
1290.6 Sanctions
Violations of this policy will be sanctioned in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, and other authorities. In addition to possible criminal prosecution, a party found to have violated this policy may be sanctioned under the Student Code of Conduct, relevant collective bargaining agreements, employment disciplinary policies, and any other code or policies which may apply. Such sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
- Dismissal and/or degree revocation (for students and graduates);
- Termination (for employees);
- De-affiliation/de-registration and loss of access to University facilities and resources (for student organizations); or
- Sanctions as recommended by the Vice President of any unit that sponsors the group or organization that is formally affiliated with the University, but that does not register as student organization (e.g. ROTC, varsity athletic teams, and performing arts organizations).
1290.7 Public Reporting
As required by O.R.C. 2903.31 and the Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024 ("SCHA"), Wright State University shall maintain a Hazing webpage that provides information concerning any violation of this policy by student organizations for the current academic year, as well as for the previous five (5) academic years. This website shall include a brief description of the alleged misconduct, the outcome/finding concerning the alleged misconduct, and any corrective action or discipline taken. Hazing violations shall also be disclosed in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFR) as required by the Stop Campus Hazing Act o 2024.
Pursuant to the SCHA, the University shall prepare and publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. This report shall be updated at least twice a year, particularly on or before January 1st and August 1st of any given year.
This Policy shall be posted on the University's policy page and shall be accessible by link from the Office of General Counsel's website. Links to the Policy, and for hazing prevention and education, shall be posted on the website for the Student Code of Conduct, and on the Hazing webpage.
1290.8 Campus Training and Education
Wright State University shall post the Hazing Policy and other resources for students, employees, and volunteers about what hazing is, how to recognize it and steps to address it on our Hazing webpage. All students, employees, and volunteer advisors and coaches are required to educational training on hazing, which may be accessed on Prevent Zone.
Student organization advisors, leaders, and officers shall be responsible for ensuring that all members of their respective student organization complete the training. Any student or student organization member who does not complete the training may not participate in any organization or group activities, including athletic competitions, musical ensembles, and theatre performances, until they complete their hazing education. Continued failure to complete the training may result in a referral to the community standards process.
University faculty and staff shall complete the training as a term of their employment. Failure to complete the training may result in disciplinary action.
Resources