Student Life
Hazing Prevention Policy
Wesconsin law and university policy both define hazing broadly — "everyone does it" and "they consented" are not defenses under either one.
What counts as hazing
Hazing is any action taken, or situation created, as a condition of initiation or continued membership in a group, that risks physical or psychological harm — regardless of whether the person being hazed agreed to it or a similar activity happened to previous members without incident. Forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation as a group activity, and demeaning "tasks" tied to membership are all covered, along with more obviously dangerous physical acts.
Consent is not a defense
A new member volunteering, or even requesting, a hazing activity does not make it permitted — Wesconsin law explicitly removes consent as a defense, and Porter policy follows the same line. This exists because hazing culture depends on normalized peer pressure that makes "I agreed to it" an unreliable signal of anything.
How a report is handled
Reports go to the Dean of Students office or through the anonymous EthicsPoint-style reporting line linked from every organization’s page; an active investigation can involve interim suspension of the organization’s activities while it proceeds. Both the organization and any individuals involved can face separate consequences — an organization losing recognition does not automatically end an individual’s case, and vice versa.
Where this connects to Greek life specifically
Every fraternity and sorority chapter completes annual hazing-prevention training as a condition of recognition; see fraternity & sorority life and the Interfraternity Council for how chapter standing is tracked.