BGSU hosts second annual Ohio Anti-Hazing Summit

University additionally announces Ohio State University as summit host in 2024

In its ongoing mission to eradicate hazing of all forms, Bowling Green State University welcomed more than 200 college professionals from over 40 organizations to campus Tuesday, Aug. 1, for the second annual Ohio Anti-Hazing Summit.

Summit attendees participated in multiple collaborative workshops focused on prevention education, innovative resources, best practices and strategies to eliminate hazing that has plagued college campuses nationwide.

Additionally, BGSU announced plans for Ohio State University to host the summit in 2024 on its Columbus campus, bringing the summit to central Ohio.

“Hazing prevention requires a continued effort to work with one another – across our learning communities, campuses and partners in K-12 education, across our state and nation,” BGSU Chief Well-Being Officer Ben Batey said. “We are looking forward to Ohio State University hosting this summit next year, expanding its reach and furthering its impact.”

“The Anti-Hazing Summit provides an opportunity for schools across Ohio to discuss this important issue,” Dr. Melissa Shivers, senior vice president for Student Life at The Ohio State University said. “We are pleased and proud to be the summit hosts next summer as we collectively build upon the vital work of each institution in eradicating hazing from our state.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Jason L. Meriwether, vice president of Enrollment Management at Campbellsville University and editor of Dismantling Hazing in Greek-Letter Organizations: Effective Practices for Prevention, Response and Campus Engagement, presented his research and best practices in hazing prevention, education and response. Shari and Cory Foltz, founders of the iamstonefoltz FOUNDATION and parents of BGSU student Stone Foltz, who died tragically following an off-campus event that was later determined to be hazing in 2021 also served as keynote speakers.

Additional speakers included BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers, hazing prevention experts and state leaders, including Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner.

Last year, BGSU welcomed nearly 200 K-12 and college professionals from around the state for the first-of-its-kind summit in the state to hear from national experts and state and education leaders on hazing prevention.