Hazing Prohibition Policy
The University of Mary Washington (“UMW” or “the University”) provides a safe educational environment for its students. Hazing – an unproductive and hazardous practice injurious to both the individuals involved and the University itself – conflicts with UMW’s mission and values and has no place at UMW, either on or off campus.
Any questions about the Hazing Prohibition Policy can be sent to the Office of Student Conduct and Responsibility. The full Hazing Prohibition Policy can be reviewed here.
Hazing Policy Violations at UMW
In accordance with the Virginia Code §23.1-822, the following report is maintained and publicly available for the actual findings of violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing to the extent that the violations were reported to campus authorities or local law enforcement.
Academic Year:
2018-2019:
- Fall 2018 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
- Spring 2019 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
2019-2020:
- Fall 2019 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
- Spring 2020 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
2020-2021:
- Fall 2020 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
- Spring 2021 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
2021-2022:
- Fall 2021 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
- Spring 2022 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
2022-2023:
- Fall 2022 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
- Spring 2023 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing
2023-2024:
- Fall 2023 — One (1) violation of UMW’s Hazing Policy
| Org/ Team | Date Found Responsible | Date of Incident | Date Investigation Initiated | Date Investigation Concluded | Description of Incident | Charges and Findings | Sanctions |
| Men’s Rugby | 11/13/23 | 9/30/23 | 10/2/23 | 10/17/23 | During an after-game off-campus party, members of the Men’s Rugby Team were reported to have participated in an activity called “Fines” in which fines or punishments were issued for behavior on or off the field. These fines could include consumption of alcohol or other unpleasant substances, and included physical violence during the reported hazing incident. | The Rugby Team was found responsible for “Hazing,” and several individuals directly involved were also found responsible for “Physical Violence or Threats of Violence” through the Student Conduct Review process. | One match suspension; Disciplinary Probation through Spring 2027 academic term; Educational training on hazing for all Rugby Team members to be completed prior to the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. |
- Spring 2024 — Zero (0) violations of UMW’s Hazing Policy, or of federal or state laws pertaining to hazing.