House Bill 113, effective Jan.1, 1996, was introduced after the death of a Western Illinois University student resulting from a hazing incident.

‘ The bill defines hazing as knowingly requiring a student to perform an act in order to be admitted into a school-associated group if the act is not sanctioned by the school and it results in bodily harm to any person.

Under the new act hazing is a Class A misdemeanor and hazing that results in great bodily harm or death is a Class 4 felony.

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A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1000 fine and Class 4 felony is punishable by 3 to 6 years in prison.

Under current law, hazing is a Class B misdemeanor and does not have a provision for bodily harm or death.

Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, a co-sponsor of the bill, said he thought there was a need for the legislation.

It’s one thing to have fun and games, but to keep things from going to far laws have to be enacted, Bost said. It could stop (the hazing) before it’s even started and becomes a problem.

Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity student Tadgh Davis said he thinks the bill is just good politics and will not effect hazing in fraternities.

There isn’t much hazing that goes on at this school, but if fraternities are hazing now when it is already illegal they’re going to keep doing it but keep it quiet, Davis, a senior in general agriculture from Martinsville, said.

Joe Jones, a member of Alpha Tau Omega, said hazing is not popular at SIUC.

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You hear stories of hazing at other universities but nothing really happens here, Jones, a junior in journalism from Seneca, said.

Troy Butler, a junior in primary care medicine from Vernon Hills, said hazing happens more than people think.

More goes on than what people know or think about, Butler said. This is a relatively small Greek system here. Stuff that goes on in the (fraternity) house stays in the house.

Harriet Wilson Barlow, associate director of student development, said there has not been a problem of hazing at SIUC.

(Hazing) is not something we look the other way about. If there is a problem (the University) deals with it, Wilson Barlow said. We had one case of hazing last year but it was in a nonfraternal association.

No students have been charged with hazing in the last 3 or 4 years, according to Terry Huffman, interim coordinator of student judicial affairs.

I couldn’t say if (hazing) happened or not, Huffman said. Students could be charged with fighting or disobedience when it may be hazing.

Two freshman said hazing is one thing that might turn them away from joining a fraternity.

I’m from Chicago and I don’t want to be embarrassed by nobody, Ben Henry, a freshman in marketing from Chicago.

Letting someone beat me up to be in their group that’s stupid, James Stucky, a freshman from Chicago, said. If I find one that’s not demeaning to my pride, I’ll join one.