An aerial view of the VCU Student Commons Plaza with people walking across it. In the middle of the plaza is a circle made of yellow and black bricks. The yellow bricks spell out the letters \"VCU.\"
A daylong summit at VCU will focus on hazing prevention. (File photo)

May 30, 2024

Virginia Hazing Prevention Summit set for June 4 at VCU

VCU and the Love Like Adam Foundation will host a daylong summit on June 4 at VCU’s University Student Commons.

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By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University and the Love Like Adam Foundation will host a daylong Virginia Hazing Prevention Summit on June 4 at VCU’s University Student Commons.

Representatives from the Oakes family and VCU Hazing Prevention, as well as summit speakers and participants, are available for interviews with media at 4 p.m. on June 4 in the Student Government Association Senate Chamber inside University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., Richmond.

The keynote session focuses on Adam Oakes, who was a 19-year-old freshman at VCU when he died on Feb. 27, 2021, due to an alcohol-related hazing incident at an off-campus fraternity event. Subsequently, VCU permanently banned the fraternity as a registered student organization.

Other sessions include:

  • Bystander behavior at diverse universities.
  • Four key strategies to combat hazing and hazardous drinking.
  • The story of Stone Foltz, an Ohio student who died from hazing.
  • How partnerships can support chapter wellness.
  • Collaborating to create a curricular approach to hazing prevention.
  • Team building to prevent hazing among student-athletes.
  • Reflections of a student leader following the conduct process.
  • Restorative justice on college campuses.

VCU and the Oakes family are committed to fostering a safer and healthier community for all students. About 100 people have signed up to participate in the sessions, which are not open to the media.