Not one word on whether Geneseo coaches or anyone on staff such as athletic trainers knew about the Sept. hazing party, past hazing parties, etc. Without that info, this press release serves as a sort-of coverup for the athletic department. Sad day for Geneseo but this release really lets down the public.

 

Volleyball season cancelled over hazing. Today in the news http://online.wsj.com/article/AP43fc82c950eb4935b1e4bc8d235c9fad.htm

 

After thoughtful deliberation and consultation, SUNY Geneseo has cancelled its 2012 intercollegiate volleyball season. The team will not practice or participate in any intercollegiate games for the remainder of this academic year. This decision has been made in light of recent reports of underage drinking and hazing at a team “initiation” event on September 2 that involved all but one member of the team.

Every Geneseo student is expected to comply with our Student Code of Conduct and the law. In addition, each student-athlete at Geneseo is expected to uphold the Intercollegiate Athletics Code of Conduct, which states:

As student-athletes at Geneseo…we will display respect for teammates … and ourselves at all times. We recognize that as student-athletes, we are often in situations where we receive greater scrutiny from fellow students and the extended community. In order to set an example for others to follow, we accept the challenge to hold ourselves to a higher standard both in and out of the classroom and on and off the playing field….Being cognizant of our status as student-athletes, we accept the fact that there may be consequences for any actions that do not comply with the standards set forth….

One of the standards is that:
Behavior … such as abuse of alcohol/illegal drugs, gambling, fighting, and the general partaking in any illegal activities that result in the embarrassment of myself, my team, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation or the college could result in immediate dismissal from our program.

While we are disappointed having to take this action, it has become clear to us in our discussions with student-athletes that our students are well aware of the expectations we have of them as stated in the Intercollegiate Athletics Code of Conduct. Our student-athletes have acknowledged the numerous methods the college has used to educate them on College policy and state law pertaining to such things as the use of alcohol and hazing. Furthermore, in our conversations with our students’ parents, they have acknowledged our clear communication to them about the expectation of strong institutional action in the wake of behavior that violates College policy and state law.

Given the alleged behaviors of some of our students, the students involved will also be subject to College conduct reviews and possible disciplinary action. College conduct review results will be confidential in accordance with College policy and federal law.

The purported actions of the members of the volleyball team and other students as described in police reports are in direct conflict with the mission of the College to “develop socially responsible citizens,” the College’s core values of excellence and integrity, and the ethos of care that is the hallmark of the Geneseo College community. It is for this reason that we as a College cannot in good conscience authorize this team to represent it in intercollegiate athletic competition this year.

 

Statement from SUNY Geneseo President Christopher C. Dahl

“We are grateful that all of our students are safe. Given what I have learned about these allegations, I strongly condemn the irresponsible behavior these students allegedly engaged in and will not tolerate it from any of our students. Unfortunately, it’s a problem that much too often permeates the higher education community. Not only do such actions ignore the expectations and values of the college but they put lives at risk. We have firmly and frequently educated all students on our campus regarding college policies on hazing and alcohol consumption for many years and will continue to do so in the most aggressive ways possible.”