Summary
Hazing is illegal under the California Penal Code section 245.6, the California Stop Campus Hazing Act, and the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act. It is not permitted at the University of East-West Medicine. No individual, recognized student organization, club, team, or any other UEWM-affiliated student group is permitted to plan, engage in, or condone hazing on or off the UEWM campus.
Definition of Hazing at the University of East-West Medicine (UEWM, the University)
Hazing is any activity that subjects someone joining or participating in a group to humiliation, degradation, abuse, or unreasonable risk of injury, regardless of that person’s willingness to participate.
Hazing includes any activity done in connection with a student organization, regardless of whether the organization is officially recognized at UEWM, 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.
Any individual who plans or intentionally assists in hazing activity has engaged in hazing, whether or not that individual is present when the hazing activity occurs. Because of the socially coercive nature of hazing, implied or expressed consent is not a defense under this policy.
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 a hazing activity has engaged in hazing, regardless of whether that individual is present when the hazing activity occurs.
Examples of hazing include, but are not limited to:
- Forcing, coercing, or inducing the use of alcohol or an illegal substance
- Forcing, coercing, or inducing the consumption or use of any food, liquid, or other substance
- Forcing, coercing, or inducing nudity or the performance or simulation of sexual acts
- Forcing, coercing, or inducing another to engage in conduct that involves a criminal violation of applicable law
- Forcing, coercing, or inducing another to engage in conduct that involves a violation of university policy
- Physical abuse, e.g., whipping, paddling, beating, tattooing, branding, shaving, and exposure to the elements, or the threat of such behaviors
- Subjecting students to abusive or demeaning conduct
Policy Statements
The University 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 dismissal from the program, and if an organization is involved, permanent loss of organizational recognition. Consent, implied or expressed, is not a defense to any complaint or charge alleging a hazing violation.
Hazing Prevention and Awareness
“We Don’t Haze” Video
“We Don’t Haze” from Clery Center on Vimeo
Recommended Websites
Reporting Hazing
UEWM encourages the reporting of suspected hazing activities. Hazing may be reported using the Hazing Report Form on the UEWM website. Hazing may also be reported to the Campus Safety Manager at (408) 738-8881.
To report hazing activity in progress that involves criminal or other conduct endangering health and safety, please dial 9-1-1.
Information about hazing will be included in the Annual Security Report in accordance with the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act.
Investigating Process
Any student, teacher, employee, or third party who has knowledge of hazing activities or feels they have been a victim of hazing, should immediately report their concerns and/or submit a Hazing Report Form. Upon receipt of the Hazing Report Form, the following procedures will be enacted.
Step 1
Identify the hazing act, including the day, time, location, names of individuals, and/or organization involved. All information shall be provided in writing with strict confidentiality of all witnesses.
Step 2
The Campus Safety Manager, upon receipt of information, will promptly initiate an investigation. All individuals involved in the investigation will be informed regarding issues of retaliation and confidentiality. Furthermore, the Dean will be notified of the allegations.
Step 3
Conduct interviews with the victims as well as the students accused of involvement in the hazing incidents. Address the entirety of the club or organization in question. Facilitate the opportunity for members to provide their responses in writing. Ensure that students are informed of the potential for disciplinary action. Consult with former members to ascertain the duration of these activities.
Step 4
Upon the completion of all investigations, a report detailing the incident and the allegations against the student or organization will be disseminated to all parties involved. Appropriate sanctions, if applicable, shall be imposed upon either the student or the club/organization. Should the investigation determine that a student has committed an act of hazing or violated this policy in any manner, the student will be subject to disciplinary actions.
Consequences of A Violation
Hazing may result in serious individual and/or group disciplinary actions, including but not limited to: suspension or expulsion from the University and/or participation in co-curricular or extracurricular activities. Disciplinary actions may also include referral for criminal prosecution.