Over the summer, Butler University updated their hazing policy to accommodate for new federal requirements. Collegian file photo.

AUBREY MATASOVSKY | STAFF REPORTER | amatasovsky@butler.edu 

Butler University adopted a new hazing policy on June 11 in response to the Stop Campus Hazing Act that was signed into law by former president Joe Biden. The hazing policy has now been extended to include faculty and employees of the university, as well as any organizations not registered with Butler that a student may be involved with. 

The adjustments to the hazing policy, made in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Activities, Athletics and the university’s general counsel, include formatting updates, as well as new educational modules for both students and faculty. 

Associate dean of students, Kelly Freiberger, was directly involved in implementing the new requirements.

“As part of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, universities are required to provide education on [hazing] prevention,” Freiberger said. “Now we have a hazing module that is with the other health and wellness modules that students take when they’re new students.”

The Hazing 101 module includes the definition of hazing, its effects and reporting practices. Further resources are available to different student organizations.

“There’s one [module] that’s specific to athletics [and] one that’s specific for fraternity and sorority life,” Freiberger said. “There’s one that’s specific to performing arts and also for faculty staff, because it applies to employees now, too. It’s a great tool for students to be able to prevent things from happening.”

Additional education is available through various organizations such as Stop Hazing and the Hazing Prevention Network. 

Devin Hall, the director of fraternity and sorority life, spoke about the resources available to new members of Greek life. 

“Our office educates students through a new member education training hosted in collaboration with the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association, and an online Canvas training for elected student officers,” Hall said. “We are supportive of the updates and Butler’s commitment [to] creating a culture that prioritizes well-being and safety.”

Furthermore, the education modules and other forms of training aim to help combat assumptions about Greek Life on Butler’s campus. 

“From hit television shows to documentaries, there are stories shared internationally [about] unhealthy experiences that take place in organizations on college campuses,” Hall said. “Many [are] centered around fraternities and sororities to engage a larger audience. We [try to] combat these assumptions through evidence-based education.”

Elected student officers within organizations also play a role in the prevention of hazing and the protection of members. 

Molly Macina, a junior speech, language and hearing sciences major and president of Alpha Phi, discussed measures taken to prevent hazing practices. 

“Our new members go through an eight-week training program that covers the dangers of hazing, how to recognize red flags and the importance of speaking up,” Macina said. “Officers update our hazing prevention training each December, and we also have access to additional talks and resources throughout the year to continue learning and reinforcing safe practices. We want our members, and the wider community, to know that safety and respect are always our priorities.”

April Kirts, a senior journalism major and the president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, discussed how Greek Life organizations can prevent hazing beyond formal education. 

“To directly combat hazing, you have to reassure your new members of their feelings and [make sure] that they [feel like they] belong in your organization,” Kirts said. “Doing what you can to make everyone feel comfortable and treat one another with respect is the best way, in my opinion, to combat hazing.”

While the updates to the hazing policy aim to provide more protection for students, its success and effectiveness continues to depend on the actions of elected officers within organizations, faculty and students themselves. 

To report hazing behavior that you have experienced or witnessed, please fill out the public incident form.