Crime Awareness, Hazing, and Campus Security

Federal regulations require that all institutions receiving Title IV funds must comply with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990.

One aspect of compliance involves the collecting and reporting of statistics on the number of specific crimes and arrests which have occurred on campus. These include liquor law, drug abuse and weapons possessions violations; murder, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, manslaughter, arson, referrals for disciplinary action due to drug-related or liquor law violations or weapons possession, crimes motivated by prejudice and crimes that occur near the campus.

CRIME AWARENESS REPORT

Upon written request, we will disclose to the victim of any crime of violence or of a nonforcible sex offense, the report on the results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted. If the victim dies as a result of the crime, the next of kin will be notified. This information may also be found on the Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education website.

In the event of any crime on campus, we ask that you contact the Security Office at 503.517.1878.

Hazing

The Stop Campus Hazing Act was passed into law in December 2024 that amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require higher education institutions that receive Title IV funds to report hazing incidents and provide prevention and awareness resources. The Act adds the following new items:

Requires additional reporting in the Annual Security Report that is part of the, now renamed, Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, commonly called the Clery Report. This reports any incidents on campus or in Clery designated geographic area around campus, that are reported to campus security or the police.
Requires institutions to publish in an easily viewable location, a Campus Hazing Transparency Report. The Report lists specific incidents of hazing and summarizes findings concerning organizations (defined below) that are in violation of conduct related to hazing. These will be published on the website in the Student Handbook section on Campus Safety and Hazing and will be updated as incidents occur.
A statement of current policies on hazing, how to report incidents, the investigative process and a statement of policy regarding prevention and awareness programs that includes a description of research informed campus-wide prevention programs for students, staff, and faculty that includes the current policies as well as prevention strategies. This should also include any applicable local, state and tribal laws on hazing.

Definitions

Key to the Act is understanding the definition of hazing and student organizations as stipulated by the Act for purposes of reporting. The act defines hazing as the following:

“The term ‘hazing’, for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents under paragraph (1)(F)(iv), means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that—

“(I) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and“

(II) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including—

“(aa) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;“(bb) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;“(cc) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;“(dd) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;“(ee) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;“(ff) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and“(gg) any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.”

“Definition of student organization.— The term ‘student organization’, for purposes of reporting under paragraph (1)(F)(iv) and paragraph (9)(A), means an organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.”

These definitions and the whole text of the Act can be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5646/text/pl

Hazing Policy

While Western Seminary traditionally has not had student organizations that fall into the definition listed above, we still want to acknowledge that hazing is not something that falls within our Standard of Character and Conduct. As such, hazing falls under the normal Standard of Character and Conduct policies and procedures. Should an act of hazing be reported, the Dean of Students office will conduct an investigation as well as follow up care with the hazing recipient. Should you suspect incidences of hazing, or are the recipient of hazing, please contact email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please see below additionally for local and State laws related to hazing and possible legal implications – whether criminal or civil.

Prevention and Awareness Programs

Information regarding hazing will be posted as part of the yearly Student Information System (SIS) Annual Notifications of Crime Awareness, Hazing, Safety and Security. Additionally, this information will be posted here on this webpage, including the Annual Security Report (Clery Report) which is linked above, as well as the Campus Hazing Transparency Report, which is below. The inclusion of hazing in the SIS annual Notifications, will serve as the regular statement of policy and prevention program. Additional resources and training will also be provided in the Student Handbook.

Resources

State laws

Oregon Anti-Hazing Laws

163.197 Hazing.

Chapter 206

California Anti-Hazing Laws

PENAL CODE – PEN [240-248]

Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code

Prevention and Awareness

National Hazing Study: Hazing in Review (2008) - an initial ladmark study on campus hazing and it implications

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

There are currently no incidents to report as of 11/1/25