Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont's Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman announced Thursday evening a set of sanctions assigned to the men's ice hockey team, and specific players in leadership positions including the team captains, in connection with a prohibited initiation activity focused on first-year team members. Immediately after an allegation first surfaced on September 24 about the initiation activity, a Campus Security Authority turned the information over to Police Services for their investigation as per university policies, and in compliance with state law.
In January 2000, the remainder of the men's hockey season was cancelled following revelations of hazing in the program.
Police Services consulted with the Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office, which determined that none of the behavior warranted criminal prosecution. The investigation indicated that none of the student athletes was injured. No student was detoxed or administered other medical attention. Police Services have shared a summary of its investigation with university officials. Police Services also informed university officials that they do not intend to issue civil citations. While no criminal or civil penalties are being pursued at this time by police or county authorities, the initiation activity does violate Athletic Department rules.
According to Police Services, first-year team members were asked to temporarily turn over their cell phones on the morning of September 24 for the initiation activity. Later in the afternoon, the team members arrived at an off-campus residence occupied by some of the upper-class players. The initiation activity consisted of first-year team members drinking beer and liquor, and they were expected to be dressed in their boxer shorts while they consumed the alcoholic beverages.
"This is something that I take very seriously," said Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman. "Hazing is dangerous, it's against university policy and it won't be tolerated in this Athletic Department. We're fortunate that this incident did not result in any injuries, but these activities always have the potential to endanger the safety and well-being of our students."
Schulman outlined a set of team and individual sanctions that emphasize education and accountability:
- The team co-captains and two of the three assistant captains will each be suspended from the team's next five games, beginning with Friday's game at Clarkson. The third assistant captain was not in attendance at the initiation.
- The team will be required to participate in additional educational programming on hazing to further reinforce the department and university policies and values.
- The team will participate in a restorative justice session. This type of activity offers opportunities for team members to better understand the impact that their behavior has on others.
- The team will be required to engage in 15 hours of community service in addition to the service it already is performing.
- The team will be placed on probation for a full year with the understanding that any further team misconduct will result in additional discipline up to and including game cancellations.
UVM President Tom Sullivan said, "My primary concern is for the safety and well- being of our students. At UVM we hold our student athletes to a high standard. The University has explicit rules and procedures that have been and will continue to be followed without exception. I am committed to ensuring that appropriate accountability measures are in place to uphold the integrity of our programs and of the University. This is our responsibility as an educational institution."
In addition to the Athletic Department sanctions, individual student athletes are subject to review under the university's student conduct process and could be issued additional sanctions.
"As disappointing as this situation is, I want this to be a valuable learning experience for this team," said Head Coach Kevin Sneddon. "I fully support the sanctions and the university's response and I also support the players on the men's hockey team. Our program has a strong educational component. I will help our players learn from their mistakes and move forward."
The university's hazing policy, along with other hazing prevention information and resources can be found at: https://www.uvm.edu/deanofstudents/hazing
The Vermont men's hockey team opens the regular season this weekend with a home-and-home series against former ECAC rival Clarkson, starting tonight at 7 pm at Cheel Arena in Potsdam, New York, then return to Gutterson Fieldhouse on Saturday (Oct. 8) for the home opener at 7:05 pm.
Source: UVM 10.7.2016