Penn State, national Greek organizations support hazing law

While hazing has been a front-line issue in Centre County with the ongoing preliminary hearings for Beta Theta Pi members and the Alpha Upsilon chapter, on a national level, legislation to crack down on the widespread problem is also being championed.

On Thursday, Penn State Provost Nick Jones stood with congressmen and other leaders pushing the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing Act, which would require universities to include hazing as a reportable offense under the Clery Act, as well as provide anti-hazing education.

Penn State has been in the spotlight of hazing issues since the February death of Timothy Piazza, a sophomore pledging Beta Theta Pi who died after falling at a party and not receiving medical attention for about 12 hours. The fraternity and 18 members are being charged criminally, but Penn State has been responding to the tragedy with a series of moves, both in how the university governs its Greek life organizations and how it educates students and parents about their activities.

President Eric Barron said in June that he wanted the university to be a leader in changing the way fraternities and sororities exist on campuses.

“We are dedicated to addressing these issues at our university, and to the support of similarly focused action at all levels of government. Our support for this legislation aligns with our commitment to taking a leadership role in the implementation of significant reforms focused on the safety and well-being of students, at our university and nationally,” Jones said in a statement.

Hazing is illegal in Pennsylvania. In 2016, Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation strengthening the state’s law and expanding it to apply to high schools and junior highs. Penn State is pushing for more state restrictions, including harsher penalties and amnesty from charges for underage drinking if someone calls for help, similar to the laws for drug overdoses.

Penn State has been at odds with its Greek organizations as the new policies have taken discipline power away from the oversight councils, placed restrictions on social activities and recruiting, and taken steps to enforce alcohol laws.

But on Thursday, seven Greek organizations — including the four that represent Penn State’s 83 active fraternities and sororities — all endorsed the proposed legislation.

“Research shows hazing prevention is best accomplished through comprehensive measures, including proactive education, transparency and accountability around standards. The North-American Interfraternity Conference backs the REACH Act because it focuses on these critical strategies. NIC member fraternities stand united in providing positive, hazing-free, meaningful rites of passage that strengthen and develop young men,” said NIC President and CEO Judson Horras.

NIC is the parent of the Interfraternity Council at Penn State, the organization that represents the most fraternities, with 45 chapters. Until it was banned in March, the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Theta Pi was under the IFC.

“No single piece of legislation can eradicate hazing on campus, but it can ensure that students, administrators and parents have access to the tools and information they need to hold organizations and campuses accountable. The battle against hazing is not a problem for fraternities alone, but a call-to-action for all campus-based organizations, including the sorority community,” said Dani Weatherford, executive director of the National Panhellenic Conference.

The NPC represents the Panhellenic Association, which in turn covers 22 Penn State sororities.

Two more are represented by the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

“The organizations of the NPHC are resolute in the commitment to nurture the ideals of sisterhood and fraternalism and uphold the dignity and self-respect of all persons seeking membership in the respective organizations. Hazing is antithetical to this commitment,” NPHC President Jennifer Jones said.

Another 14 fraternities are represented by the Multicultural Greek Council.

“The National Multicultural Greek Council organizations each dedicate substantial time and resources to improving the lives of individuals and bettering their communities,” NMGC President Jen Rencher said. “Accordingly, a membership intake process that utilizes and/or condones acts of hazing is contrary to the mission and purpose of the NMGC and its member organizations. As such, we support the REACH Act for providing transparency about hazing incidents and education on how to combat it for the campus community.”

This story was originally published July 13, 2017 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Penn State, national Greek organizations support hazing law."