The subject of university hazing has been brought back into the spotlight in a big way, with some 40 million people viewing resurfaced footage from a 2024 incident at the University of Iowa.
Hazing is classed as a criminal misdemeanor in Iowa, and is also illegal in 44 US states, with only Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana not having dedicated anti-hazing laws.
Also known as beasting, bastardation, and ragging, hazing can occur in sports teams, military units, law enforcement, gangs, and more, although the idea has been especially popularized in American universities.
Many are shocked at the resurfaced footage, showing around 50 half-naked young men in a frat house basement.
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Originally recorded on a police bodycam on November 15, 2024, officers responded to a fire alarm at the University of Iowa's Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.
The University of Iowa Dean of Students reiterates that hazing is a "criminal misdemeanor under Iowa law when a person intentionally or recklessly engages in any act or acts involving forced activity which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a university."
In the footage that's been shared numerous times on social media, notably on YouTube channel CrimePiece, officers ask the 56 men to exit the basement. Although they eerily remain silent and refuse to move (presumably under instruction), one officer says, "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**k did I just walk into?'"
An apparent ringleader known as 'Jose' maintains the fraternity is holding "a celebration of life."
According to the Iowa City Press Citizen, the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity was suspended from the university for four years. Iowa City Police also confirmed that 21-year-old Joseph Gaya ('Jose' from the video) was arrested amid complaints that he repeatedly interfered with the investigation.
The outlet claims he wasn't a University of Iowa student at the time the incident took place.
In a criminal complaint, Gaya was reportedly told to step away several times after he put himself between the Iowa City Police and a witness. The charges were eventually dropped.
Attempting to appeal the University of Iowa's ban, the national Alpha Delta Phi office called the ruling 'unjust'.
While this is obviously a serious incident, people have compared it to Zach Cregger's Weapons. Dubbed one of 2025's best movies, and also best horrors, one terrifying scene saw a bunch of kids found via flashlight in a basement.
Responding to the footage, one person said: "At girl sleepovers we go to the mall and do second base stuff with each other at boy sleepovers they do military style torture bondage with each other."
Another added: "The way they’re all standing like the kids from Weapons."
A third concluded: "Genuinely what the f**k is wrong with frat culture."