In light of recent reporting about members of the club women’s rugby team continuing to play after their suspension this summer, we at The Equinox are concerned that Keene State College is not acting in its fullest capacity to handle the situation.
As of July 2024, the women’s rugby team on campus has been put on suspension until May 2025 and will be on probation for the fall 2025 semester. These consequences come as a result of findings of severe hazing, alcohol violations, fear of branding and taking articles of clothing, among other community standards violations. The former student center programs coordinator and advisor to the interfraternity council called this case, “the worst hazing incident I’ve seen since I’ve been here.” Even after this suspension on campus, according to unnamed sources, they continue to play at New England College (NEC) in Henniker, N.H..
The Equinox is concerned about the precedent Keene State is setting going forward. Given the detail of incidents, there should have been more done by the college regarding the punishments of those involved. While we understand that the current broad suspension is easy to implement or roll out, more direct punishment would incentivize people in the leadership to make better decisions. The college has the ability to set the parameters for misconduct punishment; they also have the ability to make punishment apply on an individual level. This should be done on a case-by-case basis but it is doable and in the cases of poor management of the group, there is not a high bar for evidence for misconduct as the poor management would be evidence enough. The most unfortunate aspect is the loss of interest that happens after these situations.
Situations such as these give sports, student organizations and the college a bad look. Situations such as those give the appearance of the college being unable to provide a safe environment for students and make it appear student organizations are unruly. First-years, incoming students or those who are branching out for the first time in college may get a bad impression of how misconduct is handled and it may make joining student organizations or clubs unappealing.
It is unfortunate because these students are going to be discouraged about putting themselves out there and attempting to make friends, isolating people further from the rest of the college community. Keene State should be emphasizing and pushing for a positive reputation on campus regarding misconduct. It would make current students feel better about the college’s authority over the situation and would make Keene more appealing to attend. The college should offer assistance to the victims as well.
The victims in this situation and other severe hazing incidents should be offered some sort of assistance or compensation for their experience. These students are going to have to live with the side effects of their hazing for a long time, if not the rest of their lives. These students deserve some sort of support so they do not feel alone or abandoned by the college.
