In the final days of the Biden administration, the Stop Campus Hazing Act of 2024 was signed into law, by former president Joe Biden, becoming the first federal anti-hazing legislation. Since then, Greek groups across the country have been working to comply with the new legislation. 

According to research and advocacy organization StopHazing, hazing is defined by three components. First, it occurs within a group, such as a sorority or fraternity. Second, it consists of demeaning, humiliating or even violent behavior. Third, it happens whether or not the victim is willing to participate. Hazing is both against college policy and illegal under Illinois state law.

Senior Brayden Atkisson, president of Delta Omega Nu fraternity (DON), said that not too much has had to change at Augustana. 

“I know groups are responding to that differently based on where they were prior to the law changing. We haven’t had to change anything up,” Atkisson said.

Reynard Benschop is the director of student activities and advisor to the Greek Council. Benschop works closely with Greek leaders to ensure that they follow college policy and ensure the safety of all involved.

“Not a ton will be different for our Greek life chapters necessarily, but the legislation helps to place a lot more awareness [on hazing],” Benschop said. “Hazing has always been against college policy. It’s always been illegal, but I think this new legislation puts new emphasis on that.”

The General Education Provisions Act, also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), requires campuses to post reports of any hazing incidents. This means that anyone found guilty of hazing could have their names posted publicly, while victims would have the right to protect their privacy.

Junior Sofia Cheng is a member of Delta Chi Theta and the vice president of sororities on Augustana’s Greek Council. Cheng said that while groups that go above and beyond may not be affected as much, those that do the bare minimum will need to pay more attention to hazing prevention efforts.

“The implications and consequences of [the new legislation] aren’t something people can play off as silly anymore,” Cheng said. “The people who are found responsible for hazing violations are blasted on the Augustana website, and that includes the new member educators, the current president, and anyone else involved in the hazing incident.” 

Senior Kristin Rundle is president of the Phi Rho sorority and the Greek Council. The Greek Council produces a constitution and rulebook to address incidents as they arise and to investigate any allegations of misconduct. 

“It’s about making sure our groups are aware of the little things … and encouraging [groups] to meet with [Benschop], our advisor, or the dean of students to make sure that all our new member activities are in line with the school and federal hazing policies,” Rundle said.

Rundle said that any student who encounters an incident of hazing should contact either her, Benschop or fill out an anonymous hazing report form that will be sent out by the Greek Council to all new members in the next few weeks. The form can also be found on the Augustana website.

Benschop emphasized the importance of anti-hazing work, but also said that hazing is not a common concern new members face at Augustana.

“Greek life is very different here at Augustana … all of our chapters are local, we have a lot more oversight … and I think just the general vibe is a lot more inclusive, supportive and tolerant than I’ve seen from other campuses,” said Benschop.