Hazing Prevention

Shoreline Community College is committed to maintaining an atmosphere of social and ethical responsibility. It is the College's belief that learning and working occurs in environments where learners, employees, and visitors feel safe, secure, and welcome.

The College complies fully with anti-hazing legislation recently adopted in Washington State known as “Sam’s Law,” which is named after Sam Martinez, a freshman at Washington State University who died of alcohol poisoning at a fraternity party in November 2019. Sam’s Law requires colleges and universities to take measures to prevent hazing on their campuses. These measures include providing mandatory anti-hazing training to employees and students, and publishing an annual report of any hazing activities found to have occurred on campus.

What is Hazing?

Hazing is defined under RCW 28B.10.900 as:

“[A]ny act committed as part of a person's recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a public... institution of higher education... in this state, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. "Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions.”

Examples of hazing may include:

  • Compelling someone to consume alcohol or drugs
  • Compelling someone to participate in unlawful destruction of property
  • Subjecting someone to pranks or any other form of degrading treatment that causes harm to an individual or group

Reporting Hazing

Anyone who believes they have experienced or witnessed hazing at Shoreline is encouraged to report their concerns. Please report incidents of suspected hazing involving students using the 'Report a hazing incident' button below.

Please report any incident of suspected hazing involving a College employee by emailing the Title IX / EEO Coordinator at TitleIX@shoreline.edu.

College employees or volunteers who have reasonable cause to believe hazing has occurred are required to report the incident.

Report a hazing incident

College Policy and Procedures

The following College Policies and Procedures address hazing:

Hazing Prevention Training

Hazing prevention education is provided to all students as part of New Student Orientation. Training is offered either in-person or as an online course. Educational materials used in the in-person trainings are available online.

All College employees, including student employees, are required to complete online hazing prevention training annually.

Past Trainings

Annual Reporting

The College received no reports of hazing in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Help & Resources

If you have experienced or have otherwise been affected by hazing, there is help available.

Students seeking help are encouraged to contact the Counseling Center, which provides free, confidential, and professional mental health counseling services, resources, and referrals.

Employees are encouraged to contact the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Visit these websites to learn more about hazing prevention and alternative activities for groups: