Clemson University is teaming up with the Tucker Hipps Foundation to promote hazing awareness on its campus. On Monday, Cindy and Gary Hipps presented Clemson University Police Department and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life with a check for $15,000 to use toward the creation of a campuswide educational campaign.
The funds were made available following the seventh annual Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Golf Tournament held at Paris Mountain Country Club in October. Hipps was a Clemson student who tragically died in 2014.
“This has been a passion for the Hipps family because of the loss they experienced,” said Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Greg Mullen. “When they approached us about being partners with them, we immediately thought joining together would be a great way of helping them not only push forward this campaign, but also would help students at the University understand the severity of hazing.”
Mullen accepted the check along with Assistant Dean of Students Gary Wiser from Fraternity and Sorority Life. Together, the two hope to provide students and organizations with more anti-hazing resources, including but not limited to videos, national speakers and related informational materials.
Clemson actively reports and publicizes on its website findings of violations of the Student Code of Conduct twice each year through the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act, which was passed by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2016 as part of a broader anti-hazing effort nationally.
“It’s our pleasure to be able to make this contribution on behalf of our board,” said Cindy Hipps. “We strive to make a difference in the community and we are glad to be able to partner with Clemson University Police Department as well as Fraternity and Sorority Life. We’re thankful to our board and for the folks at Clemson who work hard on behalf of student safety.”