An anti-hazing bill inspired by an HBCU student was just signed into law. The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act received the signature of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry last month.
Per WAFB, the act will require anti-hazing courses for college administrators as well as public and private educational institutions that receive funds from the state of Louisiana. The institutions will create and maintain an online database to report alleged hazing incidents and the school’s response to those incidents. The bill quickly gained traction throughout last year, following the passing of Caleb Wilson.
Wilson passed away during an unsanctioned off-campus ritual for the on-campus chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. Per multiple reports, Wilson was repeatedly punched in the chest in a warehouse off-campus, ultimately collapsing from the blows. According to sources, pledges were reportedly arranged in a line during an unauthorized fraternity ritual and required to endure punches to the chest intended to represent the fraternity’s four cardinal principles: manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift.
Reports indicate that Wilson allegedly collapsed after being struck in the chest during the ritual and began suffering a seizure. He was later taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities also allege that after leaving Wilson at the hospital, fraternity members gathered at another location and coordinated an initial account claiming that he had collapsed at a park.
The incident caused a wave of responses. In July, Southern University officially expelled the Beta Sigma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated over the incident. The university also honored Wilson with a posthumous degree at their most recent spring commencement. Wilson was set to graduate this spring.
