Anti-Hazing Policy

Hazing Awareness and Prevention Programs

Hazing is an act committed as part of a person’s initiation to a student group which causes or may cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to any student.  Hazing is strictly forbidden in RTC’s Student Conduct Code and should be reported accordingly. Any student organization, association, or student living group that permits hazing is strictly liable for damages caused to persons or property. Hazing that causes substantial bodily harm is a class C felony. Please refer to the Student Conduct Code for the full definition of hazing, 495E-110-030 (10), and relevant sanctions, 495E-110-045.

How do I report hazing?

If you have concerns hazing may be occurring or has occurred, please notify us.

What happens when I report hazing?

Renton Technical College wants everyone to be able to learn and work in a safe environment. Any report on hazing will be taken seriously with consideration for the safety of you and our community.

Once a report or concern regarding hazing is made, RTC Security will gather information from the person reporting regarding dates, times, persons involved, and statements.
After the initial report, RTC security will review the information with the RTC Title IX Coordinator to help determine investigation responsibilities. RTC may investigate the incident(s) with a Title IX investigator, RTC Security staff member, and local law enforcement if requested and/or necessary.

RTC will work with those involved to ensure support resources are provided.

  • RTC Behavioral Health Services
  • The National Anti-Hazing Hotline can be reached at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293). This hotline is a confidential resource for reporting hazing incidents, and callers can choose to remain anonymous. The hotline is monitored by attorneys at Manley Burke, a law firm.

Prevention and Awareness

Student Education

Washington law provides that hazing awareness and prevention education must be provided to all students, be part of new student orientation programs, and cover:

  • hazing awareness, prevention, and intervention;
  • the signs and dangers of hazing; and
  • institutional prohibition of and policies on hazing.

RTC’s anti-hazing policy is provided electronically to new students in their Student Handbook and during New Student Orientation. In addition, anti-hazing education covering the above requirements is sent annually to students through an online training platform.

Washington law also provides amnesty to anyone who makes a good faith report after witnessing hazing or receiving information that a hazing occurred or will occur, protecting them against sanctions or punishment for related hazing violations unless the person reporting was directly engaged in the planning, directing or act of hazing reported.

Employee Education

Hazing awareness and prevention education is also required for an institution’s employees (except for medical staff and confidential employees)—including student employees—who receive wages and have direct ongoing contact with students in a supervisory role or position of authority. This employee training must be provided to: 

  • all employees at the beginning of each academic year, and 
  • new employees at the beginning of each academic term.

And the training must cover the:

  • signs and dangers of hazing, and
  • institution’s prohibition on hazing.

Employee Reporting Obligation

RTC employees, student employees, and volunteers must report to a designated authority—“at the first opportunity to do so”—when they have reasonable cause to believe that hazing has occurred or is planned, based on something they observed or credible information they received in the course of their employment or volunteer service.

Expanded Definition of Hazing

Effective June 9, 2022, HB 1751 (also known as Sam's Law) expands the statutory definition of “hazing” to include:

  • recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with student organizations, which specifically includes athletic teams; and
  • acts that are likely to cause harm to someone, including consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances that risk physical, psychological, or emotional harm, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.

Sam’s Law also requires each IHE to:

  • Prohibit hazing, whether it occurs on campus or off campus.
  • Establish a committee to promote and address hazing prevention with a designated chairperson appointed by the IHE’s president, and a minimum of six members that include students, faculty or staff, and a parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled at the institution.
  • Maintain and publicly report on its website actual findings of violations committed by, and sanctions imposed against, a student organization, athletic team, or student living group that are related to:
    • the school’s code of conduct or anti-hazing policies; or 
    • state or federal offenses involving hazing, alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, or physical assault.

Note: Under existing law, IHEs are also required to adopt rules providing sanctions for conduct associated with initiation into a student organization or living group that are not considered hazing, such as embarrassment, ridicule, sleep deprivation, verbal abuse, or personal humiliation.

View RTC's Anti-Hazing Policy.