Greenville Leader

During National Hazing Prevention Week in September, a group of South Carolina college students began a petition to make crucial changes to the state's legislation on hazing, which they say currently doesn't do enough to prevent the activity. 

Hazing has gained national recognition in recent years as more deaths and injuries have been caused by the practices in fraternities and sororities, and among sports teams and other organizations. 

The petition was led by Furman University student Savannah Hobbie, a senior communication studies and politics and international affairs major. 

In the petition, Hobbie and co-signers urged South Carolina lawmakers to take a tougher stance on hazing. 

The petition comes about seven years following the anniversary of the hazing-related death of Clemson University student Tucker Hipps, who fell from a bridge during a run he was taking with fellow fraternity pledges in the early morning hours, according to Furman News.

Rachael Vasquez, a Furman communication studies major and the cousin of Hobbie, is also taking a vocal stance and supports the petition. 

However, Vasquez said a petition alone won't solve the problem.

“It’s going to first start with [students] standing up for their peers,” she said.

So far, the petition listed on change.org has garnered more than 1,100 signatures.