Rep. Meehan pushes measure to prevent hazing on campus
Flanked by parents of a hazing victim, U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-7th Dist., drew a line in the sand, promoting legislation he’s co-introduced to curtail the dangerous practice prevalent on college campuses and protect students.
“We must assure that it never happens again,” Meehan said.
He and U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, D-Ohio, introduced the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing Act, which would require colleges to report hazing incidents in an annual crime report while also mandating that incoming students be educated as to what
behaviors constitute hazing and what to do about it.
The legislation comes after 19-year-old Tim Piazza died in February following injuries he sustained at Pennsylvania State University during a fraternity pledge night. Two of the 18 students charged in that incident are from Chester County.
In addition, Harvard University has announced a proposal to eliminate all fraternities, sororities and single-gender clubs.
Fudge, who was the former president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, said 90 percent of students who are hazed don’t consider themselves victims, 36 percent wouldn’t report the incident and 26 percent said no one would respond if notification was given.
“By the time hazing comes to the service, it probably is too late,” she said. “We must become more proactive. It is imperative that we provide a safe environment for all students.”
Gary and Julie DeVercelly, whose son Gary Jr. died in a March 30, 2007, hazing incident at Rider University, supported the legislation.
Gary DeVercelly said Piazza’s death was too familiar, comparing to the loss of his son.
“The circumstances of their deaths are disturbingly similar,” he said, adding that there were calls for change at that time. “Eventually, the national attention moved on and nothing was changed. We didn’t get to move on.
“For us,” he explained, “everything changed. Losing a child is more heartwrenching that you can imagine ... Parents send their kids away to college to learn and grow – not to be hazed and die.”
The Devercellys helped create a documentary with the Clery Center on the perils of hazing.
Julie DeVercelly said that for every hazing death, there are 10 to 15 hazing victims. In her son’s case, there were 14 victims, she said.
“Hazing doesn’t discriminate,” she said, adding that it happens regardless of race, gender or any other characteristic and that it happens in high schools and other organizations such as sports, too.
“We believe this legislation is the biggest step towards stopping hazing,” she said. “This bill will transform the hazing culture.”
Had it been in existence in 2007, DeVercelly said, “Our son would be alive today.”