Hazing Prevention

Tacoma Community College is committed to and maintains an atmosphere where faculty, staff, students and community members are welcomed, appreciated, and valued.

Hazing Prevention

Tacoma Community College complies with anti-hazing legislation known as Sam’s Law (HB1571) that was adopted by Washington State. The law requires colleges and universities to provide hazing awareness and prevention education.

Policies

Student Code of Conduct                     TCC Hazing Policy

What is Hazing?

Per RCW 28B.10.900 hazing includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group that causes or could cause bodily danger or physical harm, or psychological or emotional harm. This can include being forced or coerced or directed to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drugs 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.

What may constitute hazing?

Here are some examples of what might be considered hazing, though this is not an exhaustive list:

  • Compelling someone to consume alcohol or drugs
  • Requiring someone to eat or drink unusual substances or large quantities of something
  • Making someone engage in sexual behavior or exhibitionism
  • Sexual, racial, and other discriminatory harassment
  • Causing someone to be indecently exposed or exposed to the elements
  • Compelling someone to engage in acts of personal servitude
  • Requiring someone to remain in a fixed position for a long period of time
  • Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities which make someone the object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation
  • Conducting any “kidnap”, “ditch” or “road trip” activities that may transport someone against their will, or abandon them at a distant location which may endanger or compromise their health, safety, or comfort
  • Line-ups involving intense shouting of obscenities or insults

How do I report hazing?

If you believe you have witnessed hazing at Tacoma Community College, or if you believe you experienced it, you are encouraged to report your concerns to the Office of Community Standards by contacting the Director of Community Standards.

College employees who have reasonable cause to believe hazing has occurred are required to report the incident.

Student Code of Conduct Report

Has Tacoma Community College received reports of hazing?

  • TCC has not received any reports of hazing during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Hazing Prevention Resources