On Christmas Eve, President Joe Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act, introducing the first nationwide law aimed at tackling hazing on college campuses. The legislation, a culmination of efforts from grieving families and advocacy groups, aims to standardize reporting practices and foster greater accountability at educational institutions.
Until now, colleges and universities were not federally mandated to track or disclose hazing incidents in their crime reports. Despite the existence of state-level anti-hazing laws, these have often varied widely in enforcement and scope. The new federal law seeks to bridge these gaps by requiring institutions to include hazing cases in their annual safety reports, alongside other crimes like assault or theft. This shift provides a new layer of transparency for parents, students, and the broader public.
The law defines hazing broadly, encompassing actions that are deliberate, reckless, or knowing, and which lead to physical or psychological harm, humiliation, or degradation. It applies to all student organizations, including athletic teams, academic clubs, and Greek life, regardless of whether the victim consented to the activity.
In addition to mandating disclosure, the law compels colleges to develop comprehensive hazing prevention programs. These programs will educate students on the dangers of hazing, such as substance abuse, mental trauma, and physical injury, while offering resources to curb its occurrence. Importantly, colleges must publish summaries of hazing violations by student organizations and outline the penalties imposed, while maintaining the privacy of individual students involved.
Families who have lost loved ones to hazing incidents have been central to the passage of this legislation. Among them are Julie and Gary DeVercelly, whose son, Gary Jr., died in 2007 during a fraternity event at Rider University in New Jersey. In a statement, they expressed gratitude for the new law, emphasizing its potential to save lives and prevent other families from enduring similar losses.
High-profile cases like the death of Tim Piazza at Penn State University in 2017, or Max Gruver’s tragic passing at Louisiana State University, have also drawn attention to the dangers of hazing rituals. These incidents often involve dangerous levels of alcohol consumption, physical endurance tests, or psychological manipulation, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform.
Research underscores the prevalence of hazing, with a 2008 study indicating that over half of students in campus organizations experienced some form of it. Yet, only a fraction recognized the behavior as hazing. Advocates hope this law will prompt institutions to take a stronger stance against harmful initiation practices, fostering safer and more inclusive environments for all students.
By enacting this legislation, lawmakers aim to standardize hazing prevention measures and support grieving families in their call for change. Advocacy groups, educators, and students alike have welcomed the law, seeing it as a meaningful step toward eliminating hazing from college culture. As institutions begin to implement the new requirements, the law symbolizes a commitment to student safety and a rejection of dangerous traditions that have no place in modern education.
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