Colleges that take part in federal financial aid programs would be required to report incidences of hazing in annual crime reports under legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA) on Friday.
The Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act would also require colleges to provide data on referrals for discipline and arrests made in response to hazing, and it would institute a hazing education program for students.
“Each year, college students across the country are subjected to dangerous incidents of hazing, the tragic death of Penn State student Timothy Piazza being just the latest example,” Meehan said. “The first step in combating this problem is understanding just how prevalent it is on campuses. By requiring colleges and universities to report hazing as part of their annual crime reports, we can both better understand the extent of the problem, and encourage administrators to partner with students to reduce risky behavior.”
Timothy Piazza of Pennsylvania State University died on Feb. 4 after a hazing incident involving underage binge drinking at a fraternity house.
Fifty-five percent of college students who took part in a national study on hazing conducted by the University of Maine in 2008 reported that they had been subjected to hazing — yet 95 percent of them didn’t report the hazing to school officials or police.
U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), who introduced the bill with Meehan, called hazing a persistent and dangerous problem on college campuses that can be solved through proactive measures.
“We cannot act only after an unfortunate incident occurs,” Fudge said. “We need a strategy that will address hazing at its core. Accurate college reporting will provide the data we need to develop legislative solutions for administrators and faculty and protect our nation’s college students.”
Gary and Julie DeVercelly, the parents of a student who died as a result of hazing at Rider University in 2007, applauded Meehan and Fudge for introducing the bill.
“We have been fighting for this since our son, Gary Jr., died as a result of hazing a little over 10 years ago,” the DeVercellys said. “For too long, too many sons and daughters have been harmed or have died from hazing. Through accountability, transparency and education, this bill will transform the hazing culture. We know that this will save lives and make college campuses safer.”
The bill has also drawn support from Greek life organizations and colleges like Penn State University.
“The university community continues to mourn the loss of Timothy Piazza and our thoughts remain with his family and friends,” Penn State President Eric Barron said. “Penn State supports the REACH Act and greatly appreciates Congressman Meehan’s and Congresswoman Fudge’s leadership on this important national issue. Our support for this legislation aligns with our commitment to implement significant reforms as a leader in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, and of the entire university community.”