Hazing Policy 

Winona State University strictly prohibits hazing. We uphold Minnesota State’s policy, helping to ensure our students have a learning environment that promotes their growth, wellness, and safety.

Hazing is defined as:

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 during an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
2. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered during participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including:
3. endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person, subjecting a person to public humiliation or ridicule.
4. destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a student group/club, organization, or athletic team.

Actions and activities that are explicitly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

• whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing harmful substances on someone’s body, or similar activity;
• causing, coercing or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
• causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
• causing, coercing or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
• any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm by threatening words or conduct;
• any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
• any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

Actions that recklessly or intentionally endanger the physical and mental health or safety of students include, but are not limited to, the following:

• forced or required consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or any other substance;
• forced or required participation in physical activities, such as calisthenics, exercise, or so-called games;
• excessive fatigue resulting from sleep deprivation, physical activities, or exercise;
• assignment of activities that would be illegal or unlawful or might be morally offensive to individual members, associate members, or pledges;
• physical brutality, including paddling, striking with fists, open hands, or objects, and branding;
• kidnapping, being the transportation with the intent of stranding individuals;
• verbal abuse;
• denial of sufficient time to study;
• the intentional creation of clean-up work or labor for members, associate members, or pledges by active members or alumni; and
• theft of/or damage to property.