One of the best ways to make the most of your college enrollment is by joining a college community, such as a club, fraternity, sorority, or sports team. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) students who take advantage of these opportunities can form connections and gain experience that will benefit them later in life. However, any association with a campus group increases the likelihood of hazing accusations, regardless of your involvement and proximity to the misconduct.
If you face hazing accusations at WPI, you need to act quickly to protect your academic future and enrollment. The Lento Law Firm can represent and assist you as soon as you receive notice of the hazing allegations. Call our Student Defense Team today at (888) 535-3686 or fill out our confidential online form to get started.
How Worcester Polytechnic Institute Defines Hazing
WPI takes a firm stance against hazing and explicitly prohibits conduct that embarrasses, shames, or compromises another person's dignity—applying this rule to both students and campus organizations. WPI's Anti-Hazing policy provides specific examples of hazing that the school disallows, including:
- Sleep deprivation or forced wake-ups using loud sounds or music.
- Manual servitude, such as requiring someone to perform chores or menial tasks.
- Restricting access to personal items, such as student IDs, wallets, or phones.
- Exposure to degrading treatment or dangerous environments, including extreme weather.
- Line-ups
- Kidnapping or confining individuals in uncomfortable or unsanitary spaces.
WPI also aligns its hazing policies with Massachusetts' Anti-Hazing law, but the risks associated with WPI disciplinary proceedings can be more impactful on your future than criminal charges. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team understands these risks and can assist throughout WPI's disciplinary procedures.
Disciplinary Process for Hazing Accusations at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Hazing is a serious offense that WPI often punishes harshly. If you are on the receiving end of hazing accusations, your first instinct should be to call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team to begin building a defense from day one. WPI allows attorneys to accompany students and protect their rights throughout the disciplinary process. Our Student Defense Team has experience representing WPI students accused of hazing and fully understands the potential pitfalls of the school's investigatory and adjudication process.
WPI's disciplinary process for hazing includes the following steps:
- Complaint: WPI's disciplinary process begins when the school receives a Complaint alleging a violation of the university's Code of Conduct. Anyone can file a complaint, including WPI itself, and hazing allegations can immediately lead to interim measures if the allegations are severe enough.
- Notification: One of WPI's Conduct Officers will send the student accused of hazing a formal Charge Letter via their WPI email. Charge Letters provide students with a summary of the alleged hazing violations and inform them of their responsibility to schedule a meeting with a Conduct Officer.
- Investigation: WPI Conduct officers do not blindly trust hazing complaints and must conduct additional research before making a disciplinary decision. Their efforts include talking to the student accused of hazing, gathering physical or photographic evidence, interviewing witnesses, and contacting other departments and law enforcement to get a clear picture of the events.
- Resolution: Based on their investigation and the details of the hazing Complaint, the Conduct Officer determines the appropriate resolution method:
- Administrative Decision: Direct resolution by the Conduct Officer, typically for minor violations.
- Administrative Agreement: One-on-one discussions allowing students to accept responsibility and agree to sanctions.
- Hearing: A Campus Hearing Board panel examines contested cases, evaluates evidence, and determines responsibility.
- Informal Resolution: Used when WPI and students both agree to informal processes.
- Restorative Conference: Focuses on repairing harm and accountability.
- Hazing cases can result in a wide range of resolutions and sanctions. If you were simply a witness to hazing, the potential disciplinary resolution and punishment is probably much less severe than someone actively engaging in harmful conduct.
Remember, Worcester Polytechnic Institute allows students accused of hazing to work with Student Defense attorneys at the Lento Law Firm from the outset of their disciplinary case. As soon as you receive a Charge Letter from WPI, contact our attorneys and allow us to plan your response to serious hazing allegations.
Appealing Hazing Disciplinary Outcomes at WPI
Following an Administrative Decision or Hearing resolution for your hazing accusations, you have the right to appeal at WPI. Not all hazing accusations lead to this type of resolution, but many serious cases where you maintain your innocence will eventually allow for appeal. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students Office within five business days of the decision and are limited to the following three grounds:
- The sanctions are too severe or harsh given the facts of the case
- There is new, relevant evidence that was impossible to discover or use during the initial disciplinary proceedings
- The initial disciplinary proceedings were biased or improper, affecting the outcome of the case.
An Appellate Officer will review the appeal to determine its validity and then reconsider the outcome based on the new evidence or prior issues. Appellate Officers must decide within two weeks of the appeal, but sanctions remain in effect while the appeal is under review. Their decision is final, so making your appeal as solid as possible is your last and best opportunity to avoid disciplinary punishment following hazing accusations.
The Lento Law Firm has direct experience crafting appeals for WPI students facing serious hazing accusations that threaten their enrollment and future academic careers. Our Student Defense Team understands what to include in appeals to increase the likelihood of success and prevent sanctions from worsening.
Defending Against Hazing Allegations at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
The potential disciplinary sanctions following hazing accusations at WPI can prematurely end your academic career. Whether you face suspension or expulsion, any short or long-term interruption makes it harder to graduate on time and find success as you transition into the professional world. Plus, a permanent disciplinary record that includes hazing makes it harder to enter graduate programs and find opportunities in the future.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is ready to help you overcome your hazing allegations at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Call today at (888) 535-3686 or contact us through our online form to get started.
