Harm (or Potential Harm) to Others

The WSU community is committed to creating and maintaining a campus where all students, faculty, and staff feel safe. Our community standards prohibit the following behaviors which may harm individuals, groups or the University.

Fighting, Assault, Threats, Intimidation or Abuse

Includes any behavior that threatens, endangers, harms, or undermines the health, safety, or welfare of the university community or any person, including domestic or intimate partner violence. Or behavior that disrupts the university community or prevents other students, employees, or guests of the university from completing their duties. Behavior that interferes with or disrupts the university's mission, operations, or activities is also prohibited.

Hazing 

No student or student organization at may plan to engage or participate in hazing of another. Hazing includes any activity expected of someone joining a group (or maintaining full status in a group) that causes or is likely to cause a risk of mental, emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. Examples of hazing include:

  • Abuse of alcohol during new member activities;
  • Creation of excessive fatigue;
  • Mental harm;
  • Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities that create a risk of bodily, emotional, or 
  • Physical and/or psychological shock;
  • Striking another person whether by use of any object or one's body.

Hazing does not include practice, training, conditioning and eligibility requirements for customary athletic events such as intramural or club sports and NCAA athletics, or other similar contests or competitions. However, gratuitous hazing activities occurring as part of such customary athletic event or contest are prohibited.

Harassment 

Harassment is behavior that is severe, persistent, or pervasive, and would cause a reasonable person in the victim's position substantial emotional distress and undermine their ability to work, study, or participate in their regular life activities or participate in the activities of the University. Sexual and discriminatory harassment are outlined separately.

Reckless Endangerment

Reckless endangerment includes behavior which creates an unreasonable risk of harm to another person or property. 

 

Retaliation

Retaliation includes any act that would dissuade a reasonable person from making a complaint or participating in an investigation. This includes action or threats that could negatively affect another's employment, education, or reputation.

Stalking

Stalking is engaging in behavior directed at a specific person that would cause them to fear for their safety or property (or that of others) or suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking includes, behaviors that occur in person, electronically, or through a third party.

Related WAC Guidelines