New statewide educational plan from ODHE to assist with Collin’s Law compliance

Ohio’s new anti-hazing law, commonly referred to as Collin’s Law, is scheduled to take effect on October 7, 2021. In accordance with this law, the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) has issued its Statewide Educational Plan, which includes model anti-hazing policy language as well as guidelines for various campus stakeholders to develop anti-hazing education and training. The plan includes sample policy language for each of the anti-hazing policy components required by Collin’s Law, as well as sample policy language that goes beyond the requirements but explains certain practices required of the institution (the semi-annual reporting requirement, for example). The plan also includes a list of policy components that go beyond the requirements of the law but may create a more comprehensive policy for institutions, including statements about amnesty for those who report hazing and a description of how institutions will identify individual behavior, as opposed to organizational behavior. Recognizing that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to the complex nature of hazing behaviors and campus culture, the plan also includes an anti-hazing framework for Ohio that is not a required component of Collin’s Law, but is intended to provide a comprehensive approach for institutions to address hazing on their individual campuses.

Stay tuned for further information about ant-hazing training opportunities and webinars. For more information about the new Statewide Education Plan, visit ODHE’s website at www.ohiohighered.org.