Hazing, a dangerous and often deadly practice, continues to cast a shadow over college campuses across the country. Each year a new tragedy makes headlines, leaving institutions to grapple with the reality that hazing is more than just rituals gone wrong.
The groundbreaking 2008 Hazing in View1 study found that over half of college students involved in student groups experience hazing, often involving dangerous and potentially illegal activities, including forced consumption of alcohol, isolation, and sleep deprivation. Yet despite growing public awareness, the problem remained largely unaddressed at the national level.
Inconsistency Is a Challenge
While 44 states have laws related to hazing, the scope and impact are inconsistent and few specifically address colleges and universities. For nearly a decade, parents of hazing victims and campus safety experts have advocated for federal legislation to help address the harmful culture of hazing on college campuses with a more unified response. Increased public pressure, media attention, and demand for accountability finally culminated in the drafting of new federal legislation.
THE STOP CAMPUS HAZING ACT
On December 23, 2024, President Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) into law. The bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 56462, S. 29013) amends the Clery Act4 to reduce hazing on college campuses and will require actions by most colleges and universities beginning in January 2025:
Accountability, Transparency, and Prevention
The new legislative requirements aim to: