Student Life Handbook: Policies and Procedures Hazing and Abuse

Hazing is not permitted at Westmont. No individual, recognized student organization, club, team, or any other Westmont-affiliated student group is permitted to plan, engage in, or condone hazing, on or off campus. Westmont’s hazing policy is not intended to prohibit student recruitment or new or continuing member activities that are positive and educational in nature, designed to instill a group ethos or unity. Its intent is to deter those behaviors that cause or are likely to cause danger, harm or humiliation to another student.

Definition of Hazing at Westmont

Hazing includes any activity done in connection with a student organization, regardless of whether the organization is officially recognized at Westmont, that causes or is reasonably likely to cause another student to suffer bodily danger, physical harm, or significant personal degradation or humiliation, even if no bodily danger, physical harm, or significant degradation or humiliation in fact results. Hazing might occur during initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization, but is not limited to these time frames. Any individual who plans or intentionally assists in hazing activity has engaged in hazing, regardless of whether that individual is present when the hazing activity occurs.

Consequences of a Violation

Westmont expects its students to conduct themselves in socially responsible and respectful ways. Thus, participation in hazing, either as an individual or as part of any student group, may result in serious individual and organizational consequences including, but not limited to: disciplinary action up to and including expulsion; permanent loss of organizational recognition; and loss of eligibility to remain a member of any club, team, or other Westmont-affiliated student group. Consent, implied or expressed, is not a defense to any complaint or charge alleging a hazing violation.