Police bodycam footage of a hazing event taking place at the University of Iowa has recently gone viral on social media, leading to increased conversation about the dangers and needlessness of hazing, particularly in educational settings like universities.
The Footage Details
The video, captured over a year ago in November 2024, depicts 56 pledges standing in the basement of Alpha Delta Phi, a University of Iowa fraternity house. Many were shirtless, barefoot, blindfolded or some combination of the three; some covered in water, beer, ketchup and mustard.
Police stumbled upon the scene when responding to a false fire alarm report at the house. One officer in the footage asks the room, “Does anyone want to be forthcoming on what’s going on? Anyone? Because you’ve got to see it from my perspective of, ‘What the f— did I just walk into?”
The pledges remain silent, refusing to answer any of the officers’ questions. One man, who did not appear to be participating in the hazing incident, was asked for a form of identification. And, while complying, he told an officer, “I think it’s fake,” in reference to his ID.
The man was later identified as Joseph Gaya, a 21-year-old who was not enrolled as a student at the University of Iowa when the footage was recorded. Gaya was arrested for interfering with the officers’ investigation of the scene, attempting to block their view and distract them from what was occurring. The charges against Gaya were eventually dropped, however.
University of Iowa’s Response
The University of Iowa prohibits hazing in any form from university-affiliated groups, individual students or group supervisors in a statement on their website. The school investigated the incident at Alpha Delta Phi and suspended the fraternity until July 1, 2029, at the earliest.
Other hazing incidents at the university have led to the suspension of frats before. The most recent examples being the suspension of Pi Kappa Alpha in February 2022 for alcohol-related hazing offenses and Acacia in October 2020 for hazing and alcohol related offenses. Additionally, Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the university has been placed on disciplinary probation until May 15, 2026, for hazing and misconduct. Several other organizations have been investigated for hazing without sanctions being implemented within the last year.
Social Media Reception to Viral Footage
The bodycam footage has been making waves on social media platforms, with many quotes from the video turned into memes and recycled in other humorous contexts. Comments on clipped footage are condemning the incident as unnecessary and almost amusing, though hazing has previously been regarded as a very serious act. Some commentary refers to the incident as akin to a horror movie, while others remind that hazing can often be much more harmful and absurd than that featured in the viral footage.
If You See Something, Say Something
Though the viral video makes light of hazing, in reality it is a serious offense punishable by law that can cause real harm. If you know of any hazing incidents or emergencies at Penn State, you can submit an online report or text: 1-888-778-8173. Reports may be made anonymously.
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