Georgia Southern University hosts Hazing Prevention Institute for colleges and universities across Georgia
Georgia Southern University hosted the Hazing Prevention Institute (HPI) in May, where nearly 90 student affairs professionals, faculty and campus leaders from 20 Georgia colleges and universities came together to focus on eliminating hazing and strengthening prevention efforts across higher education.
Coordinated by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Office of Student Conduct, and supported by the Division of Student Affairs, the institute is part of a national training model developed by the Hazing Prevention Network. The program is grounded in research and designed to equip campus professionals with the tools they need to prevent hazing, ensure legal compliance and promote student well-being.
“This institute reinforces the power of collaboration in higher education,” said Shay Little, Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs at Georgia Southern University. “Bringing together practitioners from across Georgia allows us to learn from one another, reflect on our shared responsibilities and elevate the safety of all students.”
Addressing hazing through policy, education and collaboration
The event featured sessions on trauma-informed responses, cultural change, institutional accountability and compliance with both state and federal hazing laws. Key laws discussed included Georgia’s Max Gruver Act and the recently enacted Stop Campus Hazing Act, the first federal legislation requiring hazing incident reporting and prevention education at colleges and universities nationwide.
Passed in 2021, the Max Gruver Act requires Georgia institutions to publicly disclose hazing violations and offer educational programming. The Stop Campus Hazing Act, signed into law in December 2024, mandates that colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs include hazing violations in their Annual Security Reports, implement campus-wide prevention programs and publicly share policies and outcomes.
“Laws like the Max Gruver Act and the Stop Campus Hazing Act are important tools, but they’re only effective if implemented with purpose,” said Zwisel M. Gandía, Ed.D., associate dean of Student Conduct and Community Standards. “The institute created space for practitioners to ask hard questions, assess their compliance strategies, and think deeply about how to move from awareness to action.”
Broad representation of higher education professionals
Participants at the HPI represented a wide range of campus professionals dedicated to student safety and well-being. The group included directors of fraternity and sorority life, student conduct administrators, deans of students, mental health counselors, Title IX and Clery compliance officers, university police, housing and residence life staff, faculty members, academic advisors and student engagement and wellness professionals from across Georgia.
“We are proud to be a convening space for this essential work,” said Francisco M. Lugo, Ed.D., director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “Hazing is not isolated to one group or one campus. It’s a cultural issue that calls for institutional leadership, collaboration and a long-term commitment to prevention. Hosting this institute reflects Georgia Southern’s leadership in student safety and accountability.”
A statewide commitment to safer campuses
The HPI at Georgia Southern University marks a significant step in strengthening hazing prevention infrastructure across the state. As colleges and universities navigate increasing legal and cultural expectations, the institute serves as a model for collaboration, professional development and a shared commitment to creating safer campus environments.