Hazing task force hears prosecutors, campuses and students; pushes uniform training and reporting

The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Task Force met Sept. 16 at Pennington in Baton Rouge and heard testimony from student representatives, prosecutors and university officials as it prepares a January report with legislative and policy recommendations to reduce hazing.

Chairman Representative Jason Hughes opened the meeting by recognizing members of the Wilson family in the audience and confirming a quorum. Student representative Naquavion Willis told the task force, “I found today very, very much of a phenomenal experience,” and urged leaders to bring the summit’s lessons back to campus.

Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reid and former Dillard University president Dr. Walter Kimbrough emphasized urgency and recommended broader, mandatory training. Kimbrough warned that older alumni who operate off campus can perpetuate dangerous practices and urged campuses to expand training, hotlines and partnerships with local law enforcement.

Attorney Morgan Johnson of District Attorney Hiller Moore’s office said the state now has the Max Gruver Act available to prosecutors and that the law will allow more options than previous misdemeanor-only statutes. “We have new law,” Johnson said, and added prosecutors expect grand jury action in the Caleb Wilson matter this fall. She said prosecutors will use the new statute together with other laws to pursue accountability.

Erica Colley, vice president of student affairs and board relations for the University of Louisiana System, and Alicia Mitchell described system data and current processes: 70 reported hazing incidents across nine institutions since 2018; about 1,217 student organizations with roughly 16,000 students involved; and mandated trainings that vary from 60–120 minutes. Colley urged “100% accountability” at every level and proposed standardized curricula, a centralized online training platform, uniform appeals and a single reporting system across the UL system.

Assistant Attorney General Julie Ralph briefed members on a 2024 statutory change (Act 416) that raised the evidentiary standard for campus hearings that impose long suspensions or expulsions from a preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence. Ralph explained that panels will need corroborating evidence such as multiple consistent witness statements, photos, texts or medical reports to reach a firm conviction that hazing occurred.

Several members expressed concern that the higher evidentiary standard and the task force’s lack of subpoena power could limit institutions’ ability to act administratively. Senator Gerald Boudreaux and other members said the task force should work with the attorney general’s office and higher education leadership to consider legislative adjustments and clearer guidance for campus hearings.

Major Nicole Kilgore of the Louisiana State Police urged stronger coordination with smaller campus police departments and recommended outreach into middle and high schools to prevent hazing before students reach college.

The task force assigned follow-up work: systems were asked to provide written rubrics clarifying suspension, expulsion and deactivation policies and whether a chapter designation can be restored; participants were asked to refine recommendations on mandatory training hours, centralized reporting and funding; and the group set its next formal meeting for Nov. 3 from 1–3 p.m. A motion to adjourn, moved by student representative Naquavion Willis and seconded by Dr. Anderson, carried without objection.

The task force’s next deliverable is a draft report to be refined through stakeholder input and delivered to the Legislature in January.