Anti-Hazing Overview

No student should ever be harmed or degraded while seeking membership in any student organization. Washington state’s anti-hazing bill, House Bill 1751, also known as Sam’s Law, was signed into law on March 30, 2022, and was named for Sam Martinez, who was a WSU freshman in the fall of 2019 when he died at an off-campus fraternity event.

Hazing Definitions

  • RCW 28B.10.900: As used in RCW 10.901 and 28B.10.902, “hazing” includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a public or private institution of higher education or other postsecondary educational institution in this state, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. “Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.
  • WAC 132P-33-440 (9):  Hazing. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any initiation into a student organization or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm, to any student.
  • WAC 132P-33-440 (19):  Violation of other laws or policies. Violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation or other college rules or policies, including college traffic and parking rules.

Anti-Hazing Training

Anti-hazing training for students and employees is now available through Get Inclusive. 

The Get Inclusive Program provides students information on hazing awareness, prevention, intervention, and policies.

Email Leslie Blackaby with your first and last name and “Hazing Prevention” in the subject line to access this hazing prevention training. Get Inclusive will send the training to you.

Reporting Hazing

Also under the law, YVC employees, student employees, or volunteers with reasonable cause to believe hazing has occurred will be required to report potential hazing activities to the college.

  • Alleged employee violation:  Investigations initiated by Human Resources or designee as outlined in Administrative Procedure.
  • Alleged student violation:  Investigations initiated by Dean of Student Services or designee as outlined in WAC 132P-33-460.

Hazing Reports

Reports will be posted on the website at least 45 calendar days before the start of each fall term and at least 10 days before the start of all other terms. Reports must be maintained as they are updated for five years. No reports of hazing as of March 22, 2024.

Anti-Hazing Policy for Employees

The college’s anti-hazing policy for employees is currently under development.

Anti-Hazing Policy for Students

Learn more about anti-hazing protocols in the Student Code of Conduct. Additional information can be found in Chapter 132P-33 WAC Student Rights and Responsibilities

Hazing Resources