If the pilot does not catch an error, shouldn’t the co-pilot speak up and stop the error before it goes too far? If the co-pilot chooses to stay silent, the incident could not only affect the pilot and copilot, but it could affect the passengers, the airline company and everyone’s families. 

This is an analogy Tom Torregrossa, the director of University Police, used to describe the impacts of hazing. 

Last week was Hazing Prevention Week at ULM, and in an attempt to spread awareness about hazing, UPD hosted a hazing prevention forum. 

According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, incidents of hazing have become increasingly more violent and sexual. 

Megan Olinger, the vice president of student affairs, said hazing in recent years has become more alarming. 

“This is not traditional, it’s violent. This is criminal,” Olinger said. 

The death of Max Gruver in 2017 as a result of fraternity hazing at LSU showed how bad the problem is. 

According to ABC News, Gruver died following a night of drinking with Phi Delta Theta, in which he was hazed. The day after he died, Gruver’s blood alcohol level was still .496, which is four times the legal limit. 

In response to Gruver’s death and the increase in severity of hazing, the Max Gruver Act was crated. 

This act says that if you are charged with criminal hazing you face a $1,000 fine or up to six months in jail. If the hazing results in serious injuries or a .3% alcohol intake, you face $10,000 in fines or up to five years of jail time. If the hazing results in death it can add a negligent homicide charge to your punishment, according to the Louisiana State Legislation website. 

To help combat this new more violent form of hazing, ULM has incorporated ways to report incidents in the ULM Safe App. 

According to UPD, the app allows you to access silent witness forms and give anonymous tips. The app also has a chat room with a communication dispatcher so you can explain in detail past hazing incidents and provide pictures or videos if you have them. 

The app can also access your location through an emergency button if there is a current emergency. This will send UPD to your exact location.

While ULM has ways worked to protect students from hazing, it can still happen. Therefore, students believe education about the impacts of hazing is still necessary.

Sydney Maleigh, a senior premedical major, said that people who haze often do not understand the effects of their actions. 

“I don’t think people realize how big of an impact their actions have. It’s bigger than that moment, Maleigh said. “The hurt can last a lifetime.”