In a historic move, President Joe Biden signed into law the Stop Campus Hazing Act on Tuesday, marking a significant victory for families of hazing victims who have long fought for greater transparency and accountability in college campuses. This legislation, the first of its kind at the federal level, mandates that colleges and universities across the U.S. track and report incidents of hazing, with a focus on ensuring that such activities, often tied to fraternities and sororities, are properly documented and addressed.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act passed through Congress after years of advocacy from families impacted by hazing tragedies. The law requires universities to collect data on hazing incidents and include this information in their annual public reports, which are also provided to the Department of Education. This new federal requirement is set to take effect as early as next week, affecting a wide array of campus organizations, particularly fraternities and sororities, which have historically been hotbeds for hazing practices.
For decades, colleges and universities have been required to disclose statistics on crime, including violent offenses, that occur on their campuses. However, hazing incidents, which often involve physical, emotional, or psychological harm, were never officially tracked under federal law—despite their sometimes deadly consequences. The Stop Campus Hazing Act fills this gap, recognizing the severity of hazing and requiring colleges to be held accountable for incidents that have often been hidden from public view.
Though many states have enacted their own anti-hazing laws, they vary widely in scope, enforcement, and effectiveness. In addition, past attempts to establish a federal hazing law had failed to gain traction in Congress. The Stop Campus Hazing Act finally puts the federal government on the path to addressing this issue nationwide, making it clear that hazing is not only unacceptable but must be actively monitored and reported.
“This is a monumental step in our efforts to protect students across the country,” said Julie and Gary DeVercelly Sr., whose son, Ryan DeVercelly, tragically died in a hazing incident at Rider University in 2007. The DeVercellys have been vocal advocates for stronger hazing prevention laws. In a statement following the law’s passage, they expressed gratitude to President Biden for signing the bill into law. “We’ve been pushing hard for this for a very long time,” they said. “No parent should have to bury their child, especially not for something preventable like a hazing death.”
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is designed not only to ensure transparency but also to compel colleges to take proactive steps toward preventing hazing. Some key provisions of the law include:
Annual Reports: Colleges and universities must track and report hazing incidents as part of their crime statistics, creating a clearer picture of the prevalence of hazing across U.S. campuses.
Hazing Prevention Programs: The law requires schools to implement comprehensive hazing prevention programs aimed at educating students and staff on the dangers of hazing and how to prevent it.
Accountability for Violations: The law pushes institutions to identify student groups or organizations found guilty of hazing violations and take appropriate actions to address the issue.
Enhanced Reporting Standards: Institutions must include more detailed information about hazing incidents, including the nature of the incident and the resulting actions taken by the school.
The signing of the Stop Campus Hazing Act is seen as a major shift in how hazing is viewed across the country. By requiring transparency, the law is designed to reduce the secrecy that often surrounds hazing activities and create a cultural shift on campuses where such practices have historically been normalized.
In a statement, President Biden expressed his support for the bill, noting that no student should feel pressured to endure harmful or dangerous rituals. “This law represents a commitment to protecting the well-being of our students and holding institutions accountable,” said President Biden. “It is our responsibility to ensure that colleges and universities are safe spaces for all students, free from fear and harm.”
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