Author: Hank Nuwer

The firing of NMSU athletic director Mario Moccia for cause:

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/nmsu-fires-athletic-director-mario-moccia/

 

NM potential hazing law

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14iqQEdiP-I

 

The report, titled ‘Title IX and hazing on campus: Lessons learned from New Mexico State University,’ cited “lax oversight and discipline” in NMSU’s student safety programs that “failed to deter” former Aggies players DeShawndre Washington, Doctor Bradley and Kim Aiken Jr. from allegedly sexually assaulting at least four of their former teammates and two student managers. The assaults were initially described by the university as hazing when first reported and ultimately resulted in the shut down the NMSU men’s basketball season in February 2023.

 

Pro sports hazing

 

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/shaq-allegedly-hazing-defecate-teammate-shoe-20011140.php

 

https://www.si.com/fannation/backinthedaynba/that-time-shaquille-o-neal-took-a-crap-in-teammate-s-shoe-over-donuts-01jgkq026ky5

 

“He ratted us out to Jerry West” – Shaq on how Kobe Bryant responded to rookie hazing

Basketball Network

In his book Shaq Uncut: My Story, Shaquille O’Neal revealed that Kobe Bryant ratted out his team to Jerry West while going through rookie hazing.

 

Danny Santulli is not a hazing death. But his quality of life and likely breadth of life are at risk. 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hes-alive-for-a-reason-danny-santullis-family-is-hopeful-new-anti-hazing-law-will-save-lives/ar-AA1wIJOW

 

Incidents

 

Iowa fraternity suspended over hazing allegations

Inside Higher Ed

https://www.insidehighered.com › news › 2024/11/22 › i…

Nov 22, 2024 — The University of Iowa suspended its chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity Monday after police discovered 56 blindfolded pledges covered in food.

 

PSU Pi Delta Psi

 

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2024/12/penn-state-fraternity-suspended-for-hazing-new-members.html?outputType=amp

 

St Olaf baseball

 

https://www.elkharttruth.com/news/national/st-olaf-college-cancels-baseball-season-over-hazing/article_c87edd53-b2b5-534b-a687-57b6f1800860.html

 

20 student organizations on disciplinary statuses this semester – Indiana Daily Student

Indiana Daily Student

IU defines hazing as “any conduct that subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically, to anything that may …

 

Highlands investigating alleged boys basketball hazing – Sewickley Herald

Sewickley Herald – TribLIVE.com

… hazing allegations. Foster said the missing players were not expected back this season. But he was optimistic Flow would return to the team and …

 

Press Herald interviews Allan on Lisbon hazing report – UMaine News – University of Maine The University of Maine … hazing allegations of the Lisbon High School football team. Allan said the reactions from some of the parents are unsurprising. “It’s a really … Flag as irrelevant
	IU’s Kappa Alpha Psi disbanded | news – Indiana Public Media Indiana Public Media IU has an anti-hazing policy in its code of conduct. The university defines hazing as anything that could endanger, abuse, degrade or intimidate … Flag as irrelevant

Alcohol, not drugs, sickened students at Boulder fraternity, police say – The Denver Post

The Denver Post

Whether CU disciplines students for hazing will be determined by BPD’s investigation, Mueksch said. Smith said he believes a fraternal organization …

 

Arkansas fraternity shut down for at least 3 years over hazing allegations – MSN MSN The Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity violated rules against hazing and providing alcohol to people under the age of 21, the university found. Flag as irrelevant

4 players investigated in hazing probe at Elkmont | Archives | timesdaily.com

Times Daily

ELKMONT – Four Elkmont High School football players are under investigation after accusations that a freshman teammate underwent hazing.

Flag as irrelevant

Legal

 

WFMJ.com

Court hearing set in Canfield hazing lawsuit

Dr. Miller claims in his complaint that the incident was a prank and did not cause distress to the victim.

 

Kingfisher Public Schools Cuts 21 Jobs Amid Budget Deficit, $5 Million Hazing Lawsuit Settlement

News 9

As for Myers, the former head coach is charged with child neglect for allegedly allowing hazing and bullying on the football team.

 

	Students: Nixing football sends no-hazing message | National | elkharttruth.com The Elkhart Truth DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Students at a suburban Philadelphia high school say officials have sent a strong anti-hazing message by canceling the rest …

 

Laredo HS update

 

https://www.kgns.tv/2024/12/17/uisd-board-member-speak-alleged-hazing/

 

Hazing Report Rocks Girls Hoops Team | | riograndesun.com

Rio Grande Sun

Archuleta told the coach that if her daughter had been hazed or bullied, she would have taken it to a higher level to ensure the two would have been …

Flag as irrelevant

 

Marshall

 

https://www.wsaz.com/2024/10/29/marshall-fraternities-sorority-suspended-amid-hazing-investigation/

 

Purdue

 

Purdue fraternity suspended for alcohol, hazing violations | Indiana | elkharttruth.com The Elkhart Truth Purdue University’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter has been suspended until 2020 after school officials found the fraternity violated alcohol, hazing and … Flag as irrelevant

 

Ohio State ATO

 

Hazing on college campuses remains an issue, despite ongoing efforts to combat it – MSN

MSN

Students living in the Alpha Tau Omega, a fraternity at Ohio State University under investigation for alleged hazing, said they were surprised at …

 

Kenyon: At Dartmouth, 46 years after the release of “Animal House,” not much has changed

Valley News

On Nov. 19, a Tuesday, Hanover police served Dartmouth student-athlete Q. Jones with an …

	Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity suspended following cease and desist – Indiana Daily Student Indiana Daily Student The fraternity was suspended for dishonest conduct, endangering others, physical abuse and hazing, according to IU’s organizations on disciplinary … Flag as irrelevant

University of Arkansas students react to fraternity’s suspension for hazing allegations

KNWA

The University of Arkansas has another fraternity accused of hazing members among other allegations and students are reacting to the news.

				Flag as irrelevant
		Hazing on college campuses remains a pervasive issue, despite ongoing efforts to combat it 10tv.com COLUMBUS, Ohio — Students living in the Alpha Tau Omega, a fraternity at Ohio State University under investigation for alleged hazing, … Flag as irrelevant

 

Dartmouth after non-hazing death

 

Frat suspended, hazing charges sought against students at Dartmouth – Boston.com

Boston.com

A Dartmouth College student and two men are facing charges after another student pledging for Theta Beta Beta Fraternity said he was hazed earlier …

 

Settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit filed over VCU student’s hazing death – MSN

MSN

Settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit filed over VCU student’s hazing death … RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Family members of Adam Oakes, the National …

Flag as irrelevant

 

Football coach at Mead fire over hazing | Video – KXLY.com KXLY.com COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Flag as irrelevant

Settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit filed over VCU student’s hazing death – WWBT

WWBT

In addition, the …

Flag as irrelevant

 

Hank Nuwer’s UAF Journalism F101X students but not the general public

CRN 32162 JOUR F101X-903 Media and Culture

3 credits. Spring 2025

Professor Hank Nuwer, M.A. New Mexico Highlands University.; Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo State University

Note regarding texts: Because I am a working journalist/biographer/Cordova Times staffer and get sidetracked by outside unsolicited calls, I prefer not to use texts and phone calls. I’ll keep a list of student phone numbers for emergency contact only (example, weather emergency).

Office Hours Tuesday & Thursday, 3:45 – 5 p.m.: 512D Gruening;

Email: Hjnuwer@alaska.edu

Course meets 1/13 to 5/3/2025 Tuesday & Thursday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Gruening 401.

Description: History and principles of mass communications and the role of information media in American society. Introduction to professional aspects of mass communication, including print and broadcast.

Course Readings and Materials

Required:

Introduction to Mass communication (2024 Edition only) by Stanley Baran

Twice-weekly readings of Alaska and national news assigned each Tuesday and Thursday. Breaking news sand selected reading materials will also be assigned at discretion of instructor.

Required source for Associated Press national news:  https://apnews.com/

Required Canvas: Occasional Use of Canvas and Hank Nuwer’s professional database reporting page.

Required Technology: Regular access to a computer and internet required to take quizzes, exams and to download online readings. Access to Canvas is required. Course tip: Do not attempt to complete this course solely by phone. Some material will fail to display or to upload.

 

Recommended only for on-your-own reading: Access to McGraw Hill Connect

Recommended: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner subscription or read in UAF library

 

Student  Learning Outcomes:

 

Students completing JOUR F101X will:

Develop strong media literacy skills and an appreciation for accurate, investigative reporting.

Understand the workings of different media in society.

Foster an awareness of current events.

Compare and critique news articles in a cultural and historical context.

 

Expectations for Student Effort:

This course requires you to devote 10 to 12 hours per week. Work from home or residence hall is required in addition to classroom work and lectures.

 

Evaluation:

The instructor’s evaluation of your work includes mastery of content and demonstration of your newly acquired knowledge of class content. Proper spelling, usage, and grammar are essential.

 

JOUR 101X Grading Breakdown

 

Midterm and Final Combined: 30 percent

Discussion: 20 percent

Quizzes: 25 percents

Assignments, regular or extra-credit work at instructor’s discretion: 25 percent

 

Keeping Up with All Course Work: All journalism courses involve hard deadlines. If you have extenuating circumstances, contact me prior to missing class or an assignment. Because exams and quizzes are graded immediately by instructor, missing either may result in a grade of 0 for that evaluation.

 

Format: Coursework will be assigned

Troubling hazing suspends Sig Ep at Purdue.  6 overdoses reported at Kappa Sigma fraternity party attended by pledges: Colorado University. Note: The word tainted is an unacceptable word here for an illegal substance: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/at-least-6-hospitalized-in-suspected-cocaine-overdose-incident-at-boulder-fraternity-house

 

Fall 2024 Hazing Review by Hank Nuwer

A close look at hazing media stories over the Fall of  2024 shows a spike in hazing numbers and seriousness of incidents compared to the quieter pandemic 2020-2021 time period.

While no hazing deaths in U.S. schools were reported, an ill-advised, alcohol-fueled party sponsored by a sorority resulted in the death of Dartmouth College fraternity member Won Jang. Hazing was not uncovered during an investigation by local authorities. https://www.hanovernh.org/DocumentCenter/View/5998/Hanover-PD-Press-Release-22nov2024

 

Fraternity Incidents:

 Penn State: Penn State is experiencing a substantial increase in hazing reports to start the 2024-25 academic year, Student Affairs officials wrote in a statement to parents and families this week.

Hazing reports compared to this time last year have more than doubled, according to the letter signed by Assistant Vice President Darcy Rameker, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Director Megan Pepper and Student Accountability and Conflict Response Director Katy Larkin.

 

Brendan Young, 28, and Daniel Casey, 27, were sentenced to two to four months in prison, followed by three years of probation and community service.  They were members of PSU’s Beta Theta Pi,complicit in death of Tim Piazza.

 

 

University of Houston: A Division of Student Affairs document obtained by the student newspaper, The Cougar, details members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity are accused of using racial slurs, hazing pledges by making them run naked across campus, and allegations of being humiliating, degrading, and inappropriate with new members within the last year.

 

Marshall University (W.V.): Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Tau Omega, and the sorority Alpha Xi Delta activities prompted a school hazing investigation.

“Allegations of sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse, humiliation and other hazing activities were reported,” the university said in the following statement.

 

Michigan State University: MSU stated that they are investigating the Theta Chi fraternity after receiving “multiple reports” of hazing occurring.

The investigation into Theta Chi comes almost exactly a month after a former student filed a lawsuit against Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity and three fraternity members for alleged hazing that occurred in 2021. https://statenews.com/article/2024/10/former-msu-student-sues-fraternity-for-injuries-from-hazing?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest

 

University of Iowa: The University of Iowa has placed Alpha Delta Phi on interim suspension after an alleged hazing incident last week.

Alpha Delta Phi has been accused of having 56 blindfolded pledges “with food thrown on them” in the fraternity house’s basement, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

 

Syracuse University: Syracuse University suspended the Psi Upsilon fraternity and Phi Kappa Psi over hazing allegations.

Online videos contained what Chancellor Kent Syverud called “repugnant” and potentially illegal behavior.

 

 

University of Alabama: Five members of University of Alabama Pi Kappa Phi fraternity are charged with hazing incidents that police say happened in August 2024.

 

 

University of Virginia: The University officially terminated Kappa Sigma fraternity’s Fraternal Organization Agreement Sep. 10 after a months-long investigation revealed hazing took place.

 

University of Mississippi: Authorities are investigating for hazing the suspended Mississippi Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta.

 

Washington State University: Washington State University is investigating three fraternities for misconduct, including hazing, reckless endangerment and threats. The fraternities are Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Tau Kappa Epsilon.

 

University of Miami:  The university newspaper reported hazing investigation involving Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

 

Cornell University: Cornell’s Kappa Delta Chapter of Theta Tau was accused of hazing and drug use. Seven other groups unnamed were also under investigation by school authorities.

 

Indiana University’s Sigma Chi chapter sanctioned for hazing.

 

 

International:

 

India: An 18-year-old student of a medical college in Gujarat’s Patan district died Saturday night after allegedly being made to stand for three hours during ragging by seniors at his hostel.

Police said Sunday that they have sought a report from the anti-ragging committee of the college while authorities at the institute said the incident is being probed.

Anil Natwarbhai Methaniya, from Jesda village in Surendranagar district, was a first-year student at GMERS Medical College and Hospital at Dharpur in Patan.

 

 

Phillippines: MANILA — Seven Tau Gamma Phi suspects in the alleged 2024 fatal hazing of John Matthew Salilig underwent preliminary investigation before the Department of Justice (DOJ) Friday afternoon.

 

MANILA (2nd UPDATE)—President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday hazing is embedded in the culture of fraternities, and it could be difficult to put an …

 

Canada: The 2024 Ontario Coaching Report, which delves into the state of sport culture and coaching practices across all levels and sports, asked about specific hazing behaviours in an effort to bring clarity to the troubling findings in last year’s report. Instead, the data is likely to raise even more concerns for parents, sport organizations and policymakers.

Overall, 62 per cent of Ontario coaches view positively at least one specific hazing activity, including physical tests, performing tasks for senior team members or demeaning nicknames. And 32 per cent of coaches view positively at least one extreme hazing practice, which includes pressure to consume alcohol or drugs, physical or sexual assault, pretend abduction/kidnapping, consumption of vile concoctions, vandalism or property damage and deprivation of sleep, food or water, according to the data.

 

LONDON, Ont. – Lawyers in the sexual assault case of five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team began what are expected to be several weeks of legal arguments on Monday, ahead of next year’s trial.

Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were charged with sexual assault earlier this year in an incident that allegedly took place in London, Ont., in June 2018.

 

 

High School

 

Lisbon High School, Maine: Nobody will face criminal charges related to reports of hazing incidents among students at Lisbon High School.

 

Mead High School, Oregon: Racially tinged hazing.  our Black former Mead High School football players and their parents are suing the Mead School District for failing to intervene in a football program that “created and tolerated an environment of assaults, sexual assaults, racial discrimination, threats, bullying and harassment” over a two-year period, according to the complaint filed last week in Spokane County Superior Court.

The lawsuit says two of the Black players were sexually assaulted by white teammates at mandatory overnight football camps run by the school at Eastern Washington University over the summers of 2022 and 2023. A white player who tried to protect his teammate was also assaulted. The attacks were videotaped and widely shared on social media.

 

Santa Fe, N.M. An alleged hazing incident involving Santa Fe High School football players includes accusations of a “sexual offense,” according to police.

Santa Fe police Deputy Chief Ben Valdez wrote in an email Wednesday detectives assigned to the department’s Special Victims Unit are investigating the incident. “Based on allegations,” he wrote, “the incident was classified as a sexual offense.” rmer Santa Fe High School head coach Andrew Martinez has resigned following hazing allegations into the school’s football team. Martinez made the announcement on the football team’s X page on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. KOAT asked Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham if anti-hazing legislation will be addressed after details emerged into the investigation involving student-athletes on its football team.

 

Nebraska:  Bishop Neumann shut down its football team. But there were no arrests in an alleged sexual hazing.

 

Rochester, Illinois: Some football players used airsoft guns or CO2 pistols to target other team members at the football field – again, after school hours with no coaches or other supervising adults there. The investigator found that other activities were taking place including what is known as cookie races, where students placed cookies in between their buttocks, raced each other and the loser ate the cookie.

 

James Madison H.S. Football: Bronx, New York: At James Madison High School, three students were accused of forcibly restraining and inappropriately touching a 14-year-old on the JV team, according to the NYPD.

 

Hanover High School: Hanover High School has been suspended due to misconduct reports regarding baseball team alleged hazing.

 

The Tamaqua (PA) School Board settle a 2021 sports sexual hazing lawsuit.

 

 

 

 

 

Federal:

 

South Dakota State University is the subject of a civil rights probe by the federal government stemming from alleged hazing, harassment, and retaliation on campus and a fraternity house.

The complaint that sparked the investigation, however, came after its author spent time behind bars for alleged crimes against his former fraternity brothers.

The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) this month opened an investigation into reported misconduct involving the Brookings chapter of Sigma Phi Delta and the university. The probe follows a complaint alleging the university failed to take action to stop fraternity membership initiations that rose to the level of unlawful physical and mental abuse.

The DOE confirmed in a three-page letter obtained by The Dakota Scout that it has opened a case related to allegations that the university discriminated against the complainant on the bases of race, sex, and retaliation.

 

 

 

Past death arises after weird outburst: Aconvicted Fresno State alum turned University of Oregon administrator is now under investigation after making controversial statements on social media stemming from the recent election results.

In a now-deleted video posted to his personal Instagram account, Leonard Serrato was heard airing his frustrations over the election results while encouraging supporters of President-elect Donald Trump to commit suicide.

“If you are so sad about your groceries being expensive, get a better (expletive) paying job. Do better in life. Get a (expletive) education. Do something because you are (expletive) stupid,” said Serrato in the video.

The University of Oregon says it is aware of the post and released a statement, saying it ‘finds the statements made in the video abhorrent and not in alignment with our values or mission.’

This recent incident not Serrato’s first brush with controversy.

In 2014, Serrato and two of his fraternity brothers were charged in connection to the hazing death of Fresno State freshman Philip Dhanens.

 

HAZING OF GRADE 8 BOYS AS PART OF ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES IN
SOUTH AFRICAN MONASTIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS
By
CAROLYN ANN HUYSAMER

ABSTRACT
Hazing is a universal practice. The process is multi-dimensional and includes both positive
and negative aspects. Hazing broadly refers to the negative aspects of what newcomers
experience as they integrate into a group. This study focuses on hazing during orientation
programmes for Grade 8 boys in monastic secondary schools in South Africa. The problem
was investigated by a literature study and a survey using a self-designed questionnaire. It was
completed by a non-probability sample of 296 Grade 12 boys from three selected schools in
Gauteng Province. Data measured the biographical attributes of respondents and determined
their opinions of activities engaged in during the orientation programmes. Findings indicated
that respondents were positive about the orientation programme which acts as an introduction
into secondary school and is a means whereby traditions are transmitted. Respondents were
very opposed to any injurious activity. The objectives of orientation programmes are wellgrounded but when they deteriorate into hazing, they are very negatively perceived.

Excerpt:

In the 1970s and 1980s high school students began to search for ways to mark their transition
into adulthood. The activities which they introduced resembled the brutality of university
hazing. By the 1990s hazing at high schools had spread across the US and was a common
practice (Stophazing.org). Hazing during this time has been extensively documented with
Hank Nuwer being a world leader in documenting the extensive hazing events which have
taken place in the US. During this time it maintained the trends which had been established in
previous years. While the flavour of the hazing changed, the fundamental principles remained
unchanged. Hanson (2004:12) state that hazing has become more violent and sexually
orientated in recent times.” This in spite of the fact that hazing in fraternities was forbidden in
1989 (Sterner 2005:7). This is recurring trend in the literature on hazing: once it becomes too
extreme, it is legislated against. What follows is a period of quiet which leads to the reemergence of the practice.
The death rate at universities across the globe continues to rise …