After nearly a decade of work and dedication to ensure safer campuses for students, the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC), that includes the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), and other advocacy organizations, celebrated a historic victory: the Stop Campus Hazing Act (S. 2901, H.R. 5646) was signed into law.
The bill, under the leadership of Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), passed Congress earlier in September 2024 and then was signed into law by President Biden on December 24, 2024. The Stop Campus Hazing Act will go into effect on June 23, 2026.
The term “hazing,” for purposes of reporting statistics on hazing incidents, means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:
For nearly twenty years, Alpha Xi Delta members have participated in advocacy efforts with the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC) to advocate for issues that affect fraternities and sororities. Each spring selected collegiate and alumnae members meet in Washington, D.C. to ensure Alpha Xi Delta’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill. Our Sisters have spent countless hours meeting with U.S. senators and representatives to educate policymakers about our organizations and encouraging them to support specific legislation.
Kate Brownlee, Central Oklahoma ‘14, serves as Alpha Xi Delta’s National Government Relations Chair. In this volunteer role, Kate serves as an advocate for Alpha Xi Delta and the sorority experience in government affairs, assists with planning Congressional Hill visits, partners with NPC leadership and other fraternity/sorority leaders in legislative affairs, serves as our representative for the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee, and promotes Alpha Xi Delta government relations initiatives, such as the Alpha Xi Delta Votes program. Outside of her volunteer work, Kate is Senior Manager of Federal Government Affairs at the American Gas Association. She has worked on staff for both house and senate offices with extensive expertise on Capitol Hill. Kate and her husband, Matthew, live in Alexandria, VA, and enjoy hiking and traveling with their rescue dog, Olive.