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For too long, colleges have had a look-the-other-way mentality when it came to fraternity (and sorority) hazing. For generations, these practices have gone beyond simple bullying or stunts to prove "worthiness" for joining -- though that is bad enough. Hazing too often moves into dangerous and even deadly territory, with multiple students dying in their quest to fit in.
Ohio lawmakers are finally taking this problem seriously, with tougher criminal penalties set to take effect in the state this fall. Gov. Mike DeWine signed "Collin's Law."
Named after 18-year-old Ohio University freshman Collin Wiant, who died in 2018 after ingesting nitrous oxide in a hazing incident while pledging to Sigma Pi, the Associated Press reported the law will make hazing violations second-degree misdemeanors and those violations involving drugs or alcohol a third-degree felony punishable with prison time.
The measure will also require that colleges provide anti-hazing training, and adhere to some transparency/accountability measures.
We cannot afford to look the other way. Should Collin's Law not prove prohibitive, lawmakers must do more.
No student should be dying to fit in.