Anti-Hazing

Everett Community College Hazing Prevention
 

House Bill 1751 (“Sam’s Law” Hazing Prevention)

History

Sam’s Law is the name of new anti-hazing legislation recently adopted in Washington State. It is named after Sam Martinez, a freshman at Washington State University who died of alcohol poisoning at a fraternity party in November 2019. The new law updates the definition of hazing and requires institutions of higher education to implement anti-hazing programming for employees and students. It also requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) to publish an annual report identifying student organizations, athletic teams, and living groups found responsible for engaging in hazing.

Definition of Hazing

RCW 28B.10.900 external link defines hazing as 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.

Designated Authority/Reporting Process

Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that they have been the subject of hazing, witnesses hazing or receives a report alleging hazing, or a potential or planned hazing activity, should report the incident or incidents identified below:

  1. Employees: Notify your supervisor and complete an Incident Report (available on the Intranet) as soon as possible.
  2. Students: Notify an Everett Community College staff or faculty member or email studentconduct@everettcc.edu.

    Community Members: Please contact Everett Community College Campus Safety & Security to file a report. Non-Emergency contact: 425.388.9990 or via email at oasecurity@everettcc.edu.

Hazing Prevention Committee

The Everett Community College Hazing Prevention Committee shall promote and address hazing prevention. The committee shall have a minimum of six members including a designated chair appointed by the president of the institution. Fifty percent of the committee positions shall include students currently attending the higher education institution with at least one position filled by a student from a student organization, athletic team, or living group. The other fifty percent of the committee positions shall include at least one faculty or staff member and one parent or legal guardian of a student currently enrolled at the institution. Student input shall be considered for committee membership. A student who is a member of a student organization, athletic team, or living group that was affiliated with a finding of a hazing violation within the last twelve months may not participate in or be a member of the hazing prevention committee. For more information please contact studentconduct@everettcc.edu.