Pa. higher ed institutions publish second biannual hazing reports
FILE PHOTO: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania shakes hands with Jim Piazza after signing anti-hazing legislation inspired by Piazza’s son, Penn State student Tim Piazza who died after a night of drinking in a fraternity house, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 in Harrisburg, Pa. Sitting between them is Evelyn Piazza, the mother of Tim Piazza. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
Pennsylvania higher education institutions published their second biannual hazing reports on August 1. These reports are mandated under the state’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, which took effect in 2018.
Penn State published its biannual hazing report, detailing five hazing incidents that took place in the spring and summer semesters this year. Four of the incidents happened in Greek organizations and one in the Student Athletic Trainers’ Club.
The university reported a variety of hazing activities including students being blindfolded, lined up and forced to consume alcohol. The organizations received sanctions ranging from probation to suspension.
In one case, University Park’s Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity reportedly made new members “go hiking late into the night” while blindfolded. They were “forced to sing while being yelled at.” The university and the fraternity’s international body jointly investigated the incident. The chapter has been suspended through 2023.
Clarion University reported one hazing incident so far in 2019 and Shippensburg University reported four.
The Timothy J. Piazza Anti-hazing law was named after Penn State student Tim Piazza, who died of alcohol hazing on campus during pledge in February 2017.
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