Biden’s New Anti-hazing Law: Are US Colleges Ready to Act? – Times of India

The recent enactment of the Stop Campus Hazing Act by President Joe Biden has marked a significant step forward in the ongoing battle to combat hazing across U.S. college campuses. The new law, signed into effect, aims to enhance transparency and hold institutions accountable for hazing incidents. However, as the law takes effect, many universities are facing questions about whether they are truly ready to implement the sweeping changes it demands.
A Long-Awaited Victory for Victims’ Families
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is the result of years of advocacy by families of hazing victims and anti-hazing organizations. The law mandates that universities begin collecting and publicly reporting hazing statistics alongside their annual crime reports, a significant shift from the previous lack of federal oversight. The requirement could come into play as soon as next week, requiring many colleges and universities to quickly adapt their systems to comply with the new federal standards.
Previously, institutions were only required to disclose general crime data annually, but hazing—a dangerous and sometimes deadly practice—was largely overlooked in these reports. While nearly every state has its own anti-hazing laws, the federal government had never required colleges to track and disclose hazing-related statistics. Now, schools must align their existing protocols with the new requirements.
Julie and Gary DeVercelly Sr., whose son tragically died from a fraternity hazing incident at Rider University in 2007, have been at the forefront of advocating for this law.
What the Law Requires
The Stop Campus Hazing Act goes beyond just reporting statistics. It compels colleges to develop comprehensive hazing prevention programs aimed at addressing and reducing the prevalence of these harmful practices. These programs must be implemented across student organizations, particularly those with a history of hazing incidents, such as fraternities and sororities.
The law also holds universities accountable by requiring them to identify student groups that have violated anti-hazing policies. For many institutions, this represents a new challenge: not just complying with reporting requirements but actively creating preventive measures to combat hazing before it occurs.
Are Colleges Prepared for the Change?
The law’s introduction raises several important questions for colleges. Many institutions are already grappling with complex issues like mental health services, diversity and inclusion, and campus safety. The addition of hazing prevention and reporting presents new challenges that could strain resources and systems that were not originally designed for this purpose.
Some universities are already ahead of the curve. A number of colleges have been implementing their own anti-hazing measures, driven by both state-level laws and internal advocacy. However, the federal mandate will likely push many campuses to enhance or overhaul their current protocols.
According to experts, schools will need to update their data collection practices to ensure hazing incidents are accurately recorded and publicly reported. This includes developing systems for students and faculty to report hazing incidents, whether in real-time or anonymously. Institutions will also need to prioritize training for staff, students, and administrators on recognizing and reporting hazing activities.
The new law also brings attention to the critical role of fraternities, sororities, and other student groups that are often at the center of hazing incidents. With schools now required to specifically identify groups found guilty of hazing, universities will need to implement strict oversight measures to ensure compliance with anti-hazing regulations.
Challenges to Implementation
While many universities will make efforts to comply with the new law, there are hurdles that may slow down the transition. First, many schools have yet to develop the infrastructure to track hazing incidents in a consistent and meaningful way. Collecting hazing statistics in a manner that aligns with federal reporting standards will require updates to existing crime-reporting systems and staff training.
Another concern is ensuring that prevention programs are comprehensive and effective. The law mandates that schools put measures in place, but the quality and reach of these programs will vary from one institution to the next. The ultimate success of the law will depend on how well these prevention programs are integrated into campus life and how much buy-in they receive from students, faculty, and administrators.
Some critics worry that the law, while a step in the right direction, may not go far enough in addressing the root causes of hazing, such as the toxic group dynamics that often underpin these rituals. While prevention programs and reporting requirements are important, there is a need for deeper cultural shifts within certain student organizations to ensure that hazing becomes universally unacceptable.