The Keene State College Community Standards Office found the men’s rugby club team responsible for hazing and alcohol violations, following a Campus Safety investigation.
Additional violations of theft were alleged, but the office found the team not responsible.
As a result, the team received a deferred suspension until the end of the Fall 2024 semester, according to Assistant Dean of Students Kathleen Dougherty. She noted the deferred suspension, “is not attached to any individuals … It was just the organization as a whole.”
A deferred suspension is the highest sanction an organization or person can receive without being suspended from the college, Dougherty told The Equinox.
This means the team can still be active – with restrictions in regards to playing – but any more violations can result in a full suspension or further disciplinary actions.
Men’s rugby is not eligible for friendly competition and can only compete in league-sanctioned events for the rest of the spring semester. In addition, no rugby games are to be held at Keene State College and certain members of the team are not eligible to play at all.
John Johannesen, the advisor for the club and facilities supervisor for carpentry, paint and lock services, said friendly competition is typically just for fun and for training, it is a way for players to see what the competition is going to be like.
The conduct process concluded on March 5, according to Dougherty
The investigation commenced on Dec. 7, 2023, with the first interview occurring shortly after witnesses notified KSC of suspicious activities being performed around campus.
Campus Safety was first notified on Dec. 4 by the Dean of Students Office.
Johannesen said he was not aware of anything taking place until Campus Safety notified him the team was being investigated.
Through documents obtained by The Equinox from the Dean of Students Office, the investigation summary states the hazing is believed to have occurred on Dec. 2, and the incident report was received on Dec. 3, 2023.
‘A tiny list’
According to the summary written by Director of Campus Safety and Compliance Christopher Buckley, newer men’s rugby team members participated in a scavenger hunt.
“[Redacted] stated in his interview, ‘So basically just we make the youngest guys get together and we give ‘em a little tiny list.’, ” the summary states.
However, the redacted member who was interviewed stated, “Using the term ‘make’ was a poor choice of verbiage.”
Included in the scavenger hunt: Obtaining a cinder block and carrying it around, collecting a sex toy, obtaining a positive pregnancy test and securing a $20 bill signed by a Community Assistant.
Additionally, the summary notes one participant said they had to “collect a street sign.” However, no one else interviewed by Campus Safety made mention of collecting a street sign.
CCTV footage confirmed players carried around the cinder block at various times throughout the day on Dec. 2, with the earliest sighting being 11:53 a.m. Later that day, at 4:54 p.m., CCTV footage confirmed players were still carrying the block
Those interviewed by Campus Safety also confirmed carrying a cinder block was on the list.
“[Redacted] was described by one of the witnesses as being out of breath on the evening in question [Dec. 2],” according to the report.
One member, whose name is redacted, said they were jogging at the time of the scavenger hunt. Another said “it was just heavy” and put the cinder block in a shopping cart to make it easier to transport.
According to the report, some members of the team confirmed that collecting a sex toy was on the list.
A participant, whose name is also redacted, asked an “unsuspecting” student in the Living and Learning Commons – his residence hall – for one.
Buckley noted in the report the players who participated in the scavenger hunt were referred to by the terms, “people haven’t been a full year,” “youngest guys” and “younger guys.” throughout the conducted investigation.
The report further states that a number of involved students said the activity was meant for new members and that two team members did not participate.
Interviewees reiterated that the scavenger hunt was entirely consensual. One player stated during the investigation process after being asked if he felt hazed, “It was, but it’s over. It was all consensual.”
Another said, “The older guys have already done it. Everyone’s allowed to participate in it if they want to, but the older guys choose not to because they’ve already done it.”
In a brief phone interview with The Equinox, Buckley said he is not aware of other incidents of hazing within the club.
When asked about the quote referring to “The older guys have already done it, ” he said Campus Safety is not investigating any prior incidences.
Alcohol violations
During the investigation into the alleged hazing, alcohol policy violations were also discovered.
The team was found responsible for providing a space for a minor to consume alcohol and for providing alcohol.
During the fall semester, three social gatherings or parties took place where violations occurred. The report does not make mention of specific dates.
“We weren’t aware of the potential gatherings in the fall until the investigation took place,” Dougherty said.
During the investigation process, one interviewee – an 18-year-old – said they attended “maybe three” rugby parties and noted alcohol was provided.
“[Redacted] advised he was not required to provide any identification to verify his age,” the report states.”
Similarly, a 20-year-old stated he was not required to show identification before entering. He also attended three parties. However, he said he brings his own alcohol to parties “most of the time” because he does not want to owe anyone money.
The result
Along with the deferred suspension, all of the estimated 30 members of the team have to complete a hazing education module and social host training with Student Center Programs Coordinator Brandon Carta.
Dougherty said all members of the team have to complete the hazing module by March 20. In addition, 70% of the team is required to attend the social host training with Carta, a date for the training has not been set up yet.
As for why 70% of the team and not all members are required to attend, Dougherty said it, “Gives some grace.” If a member is ill or if they are graduating and will not be returning, she said this provides some leeway.
Furthermore, some programs are recommended but not mandatory for the team to do, which include risk mitigation surrounding drugs and alcohol, follow-up meetings in the fall, and regularly scheduled meetings between the executive board, coach and advisor.
Dougherty said per New Hampshire law, the hazing incident had to be reported to the Keene Police Department. The police did not intend to have any follow-up, according to Dougherty.
As for the rest of the season, Johannesen said the team will be competing in one league-sanctioned event in April. He added there were a couple of games or tournaments the team missed because of the investigation process. The team is still able to practice, but because of the investigation process and spring break, the team will not have much time to do so before the upcoming event.
Johannesen said he is also unsure if anyone left the club as a result.
A solution
As an advisor, Johannesen said he is there as a support system for the team and the executive board of the club.
According to Johannesen, he was not aware of what had taken place until the email hit his inbox informing him the team would be investigated. “Hopefully we can never have this again … Hopefully, this can be scary enough that it’s done.”
As for preventive measures to ensure it does not happen again, he said education and accountability are the way forward.
“Training and trying to get to the meat of it, which is meeting, playing, celebrating the members as a whole,” Johannesen said. “Let the games and the conditioning be the culmination of the group, not the outside events.”
KSC President Melinda Treadwell said she has been aware of the situation since the investigation process started.
“I was glad to know that based on that investigation there was evidence that substantiated a clear decision and that we are holding that group [men’s rugby] to the standards of the campus,” Treadwell said.
Treadwell also said education on topics of substance use and hazing, holding people accountable when causing harm to themselves or others and creating a culture of reporting is important.
“I want students to live their lives and feel freedom, but I don’t want unhealthy habits to form,” Treadwell said. “ Binge drinking and severe abuse and the types of things we know are happening on college campuses make me worry.”
She added that hazing is “totally unacceptable” and is a gateway for bad habits to form.
There is no way for faculty and staff of the school to know what is happening unless someone lets them know, she said.
Ely Thayer, coach for the men’s rugby club, did not respond to multiple requests to comment by publication deadline.
Senior Evan Davidson, president of the men’s rugby club, did not respond to multiple requests to comment by publication deadline.
Tim Bruns can be contacted at
tbruns@kscequinox.com
