Phi Delta Theta is a values-based organization that is committed to promoting a culture of responsibility in our chapters, and we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the safety of our members and guests. Phi Delta Theta has long battled the societal issue of hazing through policy and education. On November 15, 2023, Phi Delta Theta stood on Capitol Hill in support of the Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R. 5646), which will require each institution of higher education that receives federal student aid to maintain and update biannually a website page that discloses student organization violations of the institution’s code of conduct that threaten the safety of students.
Phi Delta Theta Executive Vice President and CEO Sean Wagner joined to lobby with our partners at the Anti-Hazing Coalition and the Max Gruver Foundation. They met with several elected officials, including Brother Dusty Johnson, South Dakota ’99, US representative for South Dakota, and Senate Co-Sponsor, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota, to help spread the word about the Stop Campus Hazing Act.
“Phi Delta Theta has, and always will, prioritize the safety of every member of the Fraternity,” said Sean Wagner, Executive Vice President & CEO of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. “Our efforts with the Anti-Hazing Coalition, the Gruver family, and The Max Gruver Foundation celebrate the life and memory of Max while working to eradicate hazing. Through this partnership, we have initiated a grassroots effort to mobilize members, volunteers, friends, and families to join in the measures to establish laws that provide transparency and true consequences to this behavior that directly contradicts our values.”
About the Stop Campus Hazing Act
The National Study of Student Hazing found that more than 55 percent of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Unfortunately, hazing continues to have lethal and lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities across the country. No state is immune to hazing or its effects in its college and university communities. Federal legislation is a necessary step in stopping hazing and the unnecessary harm it causes. If passed, this will establish mandates related to hazing at nonprofit private institutions of higher education and public institutions of higher education.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires each institution of higher education that receives federal student aid to maintain and update biannually a website page that discloses student organization violations of the institution’s code of conduct that threaten the safety of students. The report would detail the corrective measures imposed by the school on the student organization. This would allow students and parents to make more informed decisions about which student organizations are safe to join. States such as South Carolina and Pennsylvania have already adopted similar laws, but it would be more effective for federal law to include these disclosures to cover all schools.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is supported by the Anti-Hazing Coalition, which includes families of hazing victims who partner with the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), Hazing Prevention Network, Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV), Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) and other organizations committed to eradicating hazing. Please consider sponsoring the Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646/S. 2901), which was introduced in September by sending a message to your state’s elected officials.
Those wanting to join the fight against hazing can do so in several ways.
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Email or call your senators. You can locate your senator’s contact information through www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
- Show your support by using the hashtag #STOPCAMPUSHAZING. And don’t forget to tag your representatives in each post!
End Hazing Before It Comes to Campus
With more than 15.1 million high school students at 23,000 high schools in the United States, it became apparent that anti-hazing conversations and education need to begin before students enter college, as many who enter college have knowingly or unknowingly been hazed through sports teams, bands, and other clubs in high school. That’s why Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Max Gruver Foundation created Take Action: Building New Traditions to further anti-hazing education in high schools to ensure that no more lives are affected by hazing. Learn more, and bring this program to your local high school.
