The death of Colin Wiant and Stone Foltz due to hazing incidents led The Ohio Department of Higher Education to pass Collin’s Law to prevent hazing at colleges and universities.
Otterbein University’s anti-hazing policy is aligned with the Ohio Revised Code for hazing. Different components of the requirements have different expectations for implementation, with all components fully in place and implemented by orientation this coming summer.
Ashley Secord, assistant director of programming for the Center for Student Involvement, says, “the mandates stemming from the updated legislation apply to all student groups, including sororities and fraternities.”
“In addition to sharing out the university’s anti-hazing policy, the university has additional expectations and requirements for education, training, and programs about hazing for student groups, and faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers who work directly with student groups,'' Secord said.
Otterbein’s Greek Life has started supporting this change as it was introduced in the Ohio state legislature last spring.
“With new expectations, there are new challenges," Secord said. "Our focus will be to educate and communicate with students and student groups, as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers, why the changes are occurring, why they’re important, and the expectations moving forward."
There is a group of staff at Otterbein who have started the initial process to identify what steps the university needs to take to ensure Otterbein is aligning with the requirements from this updated legislation.
Collin’s Law is implemented in all colleges and universities, giving hope that hazing will come to an end so students can enjoy student involvement in a healthy manner.
“Otterbein takes hazing very seriously, and supports the updated and expanded Ohio State legislation on hazing," Secord said. "Our ultimate goal is for students to have a safe and positive experience, where students can learn and apply knowledge and skills from the classroom."
