For more than fifty years Lambda Chi Alpha has maintained a dedication to eliminating the disease of hazing from within our Brotherhood. Since our decision to eliminate pledgeship in 1972 we have continuously advocated for reforming fraternity culture across the United States to reflect our vision of Perfect Brotherly Love. Our mission to inspire and equip men to lead an ethical life of growth, service, and leadership is incompatible with hazing—this calling is why members of our Board of Directors, the Grand High Zeta, and leaders from among our Chapters advocated passionately for the passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act throughout 2024 at Capitol Hill and beyond, alongside our partners in the Greek community.
Overview
The Stop Campus Hazing Act, or SCHA, is landmark federal legislation passed in December 2024 expanding the information requirements of annual Clery Reports produced by campuses. Additional requirements include gathering data on hazing incidents and publicization of such data through a “Campus Hazing Transparency Report” on campus websites. Campuses will now be required to report any intentional, knowing, or reckless acts committed during an initiation into, or affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in any student organization. Student organizations, as defined in the SCHA, include, but are not limited to, clubs, societies, associations, athletic teams, fraternities, sororities, bands, or student government associations.
Important Provisions
- Uniform definition of hazing: Section 2 of the SCHA defines hazing as any activity expected of someone joining a student organization which humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of if the participant claims to be a willing participant.
- Mandatory Reporting: Section 3 of the SCHA creates a new mandatory reporting requirement, the Campus Hazing Transparency Report—which requires campuses to summarize hazing related findings for all recognized student organizations annually, including:
- A general description of the violation, whether a violation was related to abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs, and the outcome of the campus investigation.
- The dates on which an incident occurred, when an investigation was initiated, when an investigation ended, and when the campus informed the student.
- The sanctions received by a student organization.
- Hazing Prevention Programming: Finally, Section 2 of the SCHA requires campuses to provide important information on hazing prevention training and resources including:
- A statement of current hazing policies, how to report hazing, and the process which the campus utilizes to investigate hazing.
- A description of prevention and awareness programs related to hazing, including descriptions of research-informed prevention programs designed to reach students, staff, and faculty
- An outline of primary prevention strategies implemented by the campus intended to stop hazing before hazing occurs, such as training for bystander and training for ethical leadership.
Uniformity, reporting, and prevention will ensure that campuses nationwide are safe for students and allow local Chapters the opportunity to access additional hazing prevention resources beyond what is already available from the General Fraternity. Additionally, transparency into the process of campus investigations guarantees the rights of students and Chapters during investigations.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a significant and historic step in the right direction when it comes to the continual fight to eliminate hazing on campuses nationwide, and the Fraternity is proud to continue to be a trailblazer in this battle.
