Cavs Against Hazing

What is Hazing?

Hazing is prohibited under the State statue on hazing (Virginia Hazing, Civil Criminal Liability, Code of Virginia 18.2-56) as well by College policy. The college does not condone hazing in any form. The term “hazing” means any action taken or situation created by a member(s) of a student organization toward one or more organization members or toward prospective members (as part of the new member selection process), that occurs on College-owned or leased property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions or at the local residence of any College student, faculty member, or employee, and that is designated to or produces mental or physical harassment, discomfort, or ridicule. Such activities and situations include, but are not limited to, creation of excessive physical or psychological shock, fatigue, stress, injury or harm. Student organizations and/or individual members found to have engaged in hazing shall be in violation of College policy and may also be in violation of the Statue statute.

Reporting a Concern

If you or someone you know has witnessed or been subject to a hazing incident, please report using this form. Individuals affiliated with the College and community members may report incidents using the form. All students, faculty, and staff are expected to report suspected hazing to the Office for Advocacy & Opportunity or Campus Police, criminal and/or Student Conduct process and procedures will be followed. See: Stop Campus Hazing Act (2023); Virginia Code § 23.1-822.

Education Prevention Training

Student Leadership Training
Starting in 2024, UVA Wise DOES NOT have any active Greek life memberships. However, the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) hosted annual Student Leadership Training where student leaders and their presidents are made aware of all College, Commonwealth, and Federal polices and laws. OSE processes the Student Organization handbook in detail. 

This training is conducted by the Office of Student Engagement for all new members after the conclusion of the recruitment period during the Fall and Spring Semester. A student may not start the individual chapter new member process until this in-person training is completed.

Campus Security Authority Training
As part of the Clery Act, all students who take on the official President role in a Student Club or Organization and their advisor(s) must attend annual Campus Security Authority Training coordinated by the Office for Advocacy & Opportunity.

Programming
Hazing is included in the College's orientation CAVS Module in Section 05 of Community of Respect for all new students. Additionally, the Office for Advocacy & Opportunity, the Office of Student Engagement, and Athletics do ongoing education/programming throughout each academic year.  In the Fall 2022 and 2023 semesters, the Love Like Adam Foundation was welcomed to UVA Wise.  The presentation and discussion focused on the impact hazing can have on a college campus and how to be an active bystander. Various members from the current fraternities and sororities, along with clubs/organizations, and Resident Assistants attended this event in September 2022. In September 2023, the Foundation provided another program to all the previously mentioned groups, as well as student-athletes.

Hazing Misconduct Report

Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 23.1-822, the College provides a report of past hazing misconduct involving student organizations. The information below includes the name of the student organization, the dates (if known) of the hazing behavior, the date such behavior was reported to the College, the dates of investigation, and when the organization was found responsible, and a description of the findings. Reports of hazing that did not result in a finding of responsibility are omitted. The College will update this information at least ten calendar days before the start of each fall and spring semester . It will maintain the information for ten years following the date of initial disclosure. 

UVA Wise had no confirmed incidents of hazing for the 2024-25 academic year. 
UVA Wise had no confirmed incidents of hazing for the 2023-24 academic year. 
UVA Wise had no confirmed incidents of hazing for the 2022-23 academic year.