Indianapolis, June 19, 2017—The North American Interfraternity Conference strongly supports the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act of 2017, bipartisan anti-hazing legislation introduced by Rep. Pat Meehan (R-Pa.) and co-sponsored by Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio).
The REACH Act would add hazing as misconduct/crime reported under the Clery Act, requiring colleges and universities to disclose hazing incidents in their Annual Security Report. It would also require any college or university that accepts federal funding to provide hazing prevention education and resources to students.
“Research shows hazing prevention is best accomplished through comprehensive measures, including proactive education, transparency, and accountability around standards,” said NIC President and CEO Judson Horras. “The North American Interfraternity Conference backs the REACH Act because it focuses on these critical strategies.”
Hazing has no place in the fraternity experience. The NIC has reached out to other interfraternal organizations to discuss the bill and is hopeful we will garner additional support across the fraternal movement. In addition to support of this legislation, NIC fraternities will continue the fight against hazing through policy education, prevention and accountability measures.
“NIC member fraternities stand united in providing positive, hazing-free, meaningful rites of passage that strengthen and develop young men,” said Horras. “We commend co-sponsors Reps. Meehan and Fudge for their leadership in facing this problem.”
Click here to learn more about the REACH Act.
