Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed says the state is keeping a close eye on the criminal investigation into alleged hazing at the DKE fraternity at LSU that has so far resulted in 11 arrests. Reed noted that the Board of Regents will use details gleaned from that investigation to help sure up last year’s anti-hazing policy overhaul.

“As they walk through that information it will be important for us to look at that and say, did we miss anything? Did we miss any early warnings? Was there more that we could do?”

Several of the nine students charged in the alleged hazing have been hit with battery charges. The Advocate reports the hazing involved beating pledges with pipes, dousing them with gas, and urinating on them among other things.

Reed says it’s vital the Board of Regents gathers this new information and uses it to craft additional policies that can be applied statewide.

“Is it isolated to LSU? I would think not. Is it important that we talk about this on every single campus? Absolutely.”

Last year the legislature passed harsher anti-hazing laws in the wake of the Max Gruver’s 2017 death that allegedly resulted from hazing.

The Commissioner cautioned against demonizing all Greek organizations on state campuses, but says anti-hazing culture changes must involve with students in those groups.

“(Speaking to Baton Rouge Press Club) I participated in a Greek organization, and I’m sure there are many people in this room who have as well. There are many people who are doing it, right, who are doing a good job, but we have to think about what happens when it goes wrong.”

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