In 2018, families who tragically lost their sons to hazing, came together with the National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference, along with the Hazing Prevention Network and the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors to form the Anti-Hazing Coalition. The coalition aimed to:

• Pursue state-based anti-hazing legislation that delivers greater transparency through stronger hazing reporting requirements, strengthens criminal penalties and encourages prosecution, calls for university accountability for bad actors, provides amnesty to encourage people to call for help and calls for student education.
• Expand awareness and intervention education, including providing a platform for the parents to speak to tens of thousands of college students.
• Engage fraternity and sorority members in educating high school students to confront hazing and bullying.

This group joined the Fraternity/Sorority Political Action Committee to promote anti-hazing legislation at the federal level as well. The tireless advocacy from affected families, campus safety professionals, and dedicated organizations resulted in the House of Representatives passing by unanimous voice vote H.R. 5646, the bipartisan, evidence-based Stop Campus Hazing Act, which combats hazing on college campuses and protects students across the nation.

In an interview with members of the Anti-Hazing Coalition after the legislation passed, Stephen Gruver, father of Max Gruver who died as a result of hazing in 2017 said, “We do this in honor of our sons. We know that they would have expected us to follow this path, and we know that we’re saving lives by getting this message out.” In the same interview, Jim Piazza whose son Tim also died as a result of hazing in 2017 added, “If we don’t do this, who’s going to do it?”

Making a Difference on College Campuses

The bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act does the following:

• Combats Hazing and Protects Students: This bill requires that universities report hazing incidents under the Clery Act and creates a clear and consistent definition for hazing statistics across all postsecondary institutions.
• Educates and Prevents: The bill requires institutions to provide comprehensive hazing prevention programs for faculty and students to avoid hazing before it occurs and cultivate a culture of respect on campus.
• Provides Flexibility: The new reporting and educational requirements for institutions are balanced by respect for existing anti-hazing processes at the institution and state levels.

Though laws are not an automatic solution for interpersonal challenges like hazing, they can serve as a key prevention strategy and help shift societal norms. By strengthening campus safety and promoting educational environments where students can be part of clubs, teams, fraternal organizations, and more without fear of being hazed, this act can protect students and save lives.

The companion bill is in the Senate, and we are hopeful this federal anti-hazing legislation will become law soon. To learn more about the Stop Campus Hazing Act, we recommend this helpful overview from StopHazing.org.

Protect What Matters Most

Fraternity and sorority life should be one of the best parts of a member’s college experience, and preventing hazing is just one way to ensure the safety and longevity of a chapter. The Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice team is here to provide risk management and insurance insights that can not only protect all members, but also help them enjoy their university years.

Check out our Fraternal Practice resources and learn more about what our team can do for you. If you have any questions, reach out today!