Clemson University student Tucker Hipps died in 2014 after falling into shallow waters during a pledge run in the early hours of the morning, according to an Aug. 31 article by Charleston’s The Post and Courier. Hipps, who pledged to Sigma Phi Epsilon, was allegedly forced to walk along a bridge railing for the fraternity’s initiation.

This was not the first time Clemson University was in the spotlight for hazing on campus. Brad Land, former student and pledge to Kappa Sigma at Clemson, released “Goat: A Memoir” in 2004, detailing the abusive hazing that led to his physical and emotional deterioration. 

HazingPrevention.org in conjunction with CAMPUSPEAK, an organization working to inspire and educate college students, announced in a Sept. 1 press release that early screenings of the upcoming film adaption of Land’s book starring Nick Jonas and James Franco, will be playing at universities across the country, including University of California, Berkeley; University of Central Florida; and University of Maryland. The first screening, held at the University of Maryland, kicks off the annual National Hazing Prevention Week on Sept. 19. The film will be available nationwide on Sept. 23.

According to Emily Pualwan, the executive director of HazingPrevention.org, the organization has been a longstanding fan of the memoir and a “good example of what could go wrong with hazing. 

She added that Paramount Pictures, the film’s distribution company, contacted the organization in April when filming began. According to Pualwan, the goal of the partnership is to empower students to prevent fatal events from happening.

Early screenings will be followed by an educational conversation between a professional mediator and students. CAMPUSPEAK CEO Luke Davis said the screening’s facilitators are all currently working at a senior level in Greek life on campuses. 

The organization was not looking for a sensationalized piece to showcase the effects of hazing, but instead, for a springboard to campus discussion, said Leonard Sancilio, dean of students at State University of New York at Geneseo and board chair for HazingPrevention.org.

Adam Rogan, public relations officer and member of Alpha Tau Omega and a junior at Drake University, said there are some fraternities that throw parties every weekend, but Alpha Tau Omega does not, which makes them “atypical.” 

Rogan said that some fraternities and sororities create negative stereotypes by participating in hazing initiations. 

“[Fraternities and sororities] might bring some friendships, but when there is hazing and the focus is on drinking and getting laid—as opposed to making friends and making a difference for yourself and other people now and in the future—of course you’re going to get a bad [reputation],” Rogan said. 

Davis said the idea that only fraternities participate in hazing is misleading and a “myth.” While hazing may be more prevalent in fraternities, it can happen in any organized group like a marching band and sporting teams, he added.

Andrew Neel, director of the film, said that he is excited to hear what college and fraternities think.

“I think we need to start a dialogue,” Neel said in a Sept. 8 emailed statement. “Torture at our colleges cannot be tacitly condoned by the administrations of colleges that allow frats with really bad records to continue to operate.”

For some, the anti-hazing message comes too late as at least one hazing death occurs on a college campus once a year, according to Pualwan.

“We’ve made progress,” Pualwan said. “But we have a long way to go.”