National statistics show that hazing impacts at least 47% of students before they start their college careers and 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing.
In October 2021, Collin's Law went into effect for the state of Ohio after the death of Ohio University student, Collin Wiant. Collin died from an initiation event that turned into hazing during his freshman year. Collin's Law is Ohio's Anti-Hazing Act that enacts a number additional requirements, a public report of violations, and consequences in effort to end hazing and the contributing factors in group dynamics that have previously enabled hazing to occur.
We want you to be upstanders in your community to know how to eliminate environments that can cause harm to others and to be courageous in taking steps to prevent hazing. The full Policy on Hazing is available in the Student Handbook.
All acts of hazing, both on and off campus by an organization or any of its members, are strictly forbidden.
If you become aware of incidents of hazing and/or suspicious behavior, please contact:
Ohio law requires that all Ohio college students as well as any administrator, employee, faculty, staff, or volunteer receive training about hazing and the impact it can have on others. Students that need to complete the required hazing prevention and education programs should please follow this link to the hazing prevention program and log in with your OWU username and password.
The Bishop Way can provide additional educational programs tailored to your student organization, team, or other group. To request a program, contact TheBishopWay@owu.edu.
StopHazing provides a variety of research, tools, and resources for hazing prevention and creating healthy, positive group experiences.
Hazing Prevention Network is a national nonprofit organzation dedicated to providing education and tools to empower indviduals to prevent hazing.