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August, 12 2022

A lot happened in the 2021-2022 academic year at StopHazing–a number of updates, resources developed, research conducted, and new initiatives formed. One new initiative from StopHazing is the Student Network for Advocacy and Prevention or SNAP for short. SNAP is a student-led group dedicated to hazing prevention education and advocating for comprehensive prevention. 

SNAP supports StopHazing’s mission of promoting safe and inclusive school, campus, and organizational environments through research, resource sharing, and the development of data-driven strategies for hazing prevention and the promotion of positive group climates. 

What did SNAP work on this year?

This year passionate students of all levels came together and primarily spent time advocating for hazing prevention legislation in a variety of ways. In recap, SNAP focused on the change one individual can make with grassroots policy advocacy. 

SNAP Students…

  • Shared their stories with numerous U.S. Representatives, Senators, and institution leaders
  • Contacted their federal representatives and urged them to sponsor the REACH Act (see more about REACH below)
  • Networked with a broad range of scholars, campus professionals, and policymakers
  • Connected with peer student-leaders across the country

SNAP also launched a new Regional Outreach project this year. Students leveraged their collective action to connect with institutions, organizations, and other student-leaders within their regions throughout the country and shared a variety of hazing prevention resources and opportunities with them.

I give my time to SNAP because I believe student voices are the drivers of change. SNAP helps to connect students with similar passions, and we have a space to share ideas and learn more about hazing prevention.

Devin franklin – student at the University of Maine

What’s on the horizon for SNAP? 

The upcoming school year has unique opportunities for SNAP and its members! We will continue to advocate for hazing prevention legislation, expand our regional outreach (including the addition of new leadership opportunities such as Regional Leaders for the Regional Outreach Project), professional development (e.g. StopHazing workshop facilitator training) and mentorship. We’re also always open to exploring new ideas and initiatives from passionate members as well!

Join SNAP!

You can learn more about SNAP here.

The REACH Act: At-A-Glance 

The purpose of the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act is to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose hazing incidents. [S. 744, H.R. 2525]

What does REACH do?

  • Includes hazing incidents as Clery Act crime statistics in Annual Security Reports (ASRs).
  • Requires comprehensive research-based educational programming on hazing for all stakeholders.
  • Uses an inclusive definition of hazing: 1) Affiliated organization context, 2) Physical harm, mental harm, or personal degradation, and 3) Regardless of a student’s willingness to participate.

REACH is strong because it is a clear, concise, evidence-informed bipartisan bill.

Download this REACH Act infographic for more information! 

StopHazing. (2021). Federal Anti-hazing Legislation: The REACH Act, StopHazing Consulting. https://stophazing.org/policy/reach