We need you to tell Congress that the time is now to pass the Stop Campus Hazing Act.
Alleged hazing incidents seen in athletic programs this year such as Northwestern University football, Harvard women’s hockey and New Mexico State basketball as well as student deaths in recent years are a reminder of the urgency needed. Hazing exists on a spectrum but mild hazing can quickly escalate causing mental and physical harm to victims. When hard alcohol is added to the mix, it is a formula for tragedy.
With 50% of college students exposed to hazing in high school*, it is a critical issue facing campuses today across all student organizations, marching bands, campus recreation and athletics.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R. 5646) requires each institution of higher education that receives federal student aid to maintain and update biannually a website page that discloses student organization violations of the institution’s code of conduct that threaten the safety of students. The report would detail the corrective measures imposed by the school on the student organization. This would allow students and parents to make more informed decisions about which student organizations are safe to join. States such as South Carolina and Pennsylvania have already adapted similar laws, but it would be more effective for federal law to include these disclosures to cover all schools.
“Hazing is a critical issue facing campuses across all sports and student organizations. The behavior can quickly escalate causing mental or physical harm and often occurs when there is a differing power dynamic between people inside a group and those trying to join. We applaud the introduction of the Stop Campus Hazing Act which will bring more transparency to the issue allowing students and parents to make educated decisions when choosing to join a group,” said Todd Shelton, Executive Director of Hazing Prevention Network.
Read full press release about Stop Campus Hazing Act.
* Allan, 2008
