Torria Catrone & Harrison Ham, Editor-in-Chief & Staff Writer—
Denison recently concluded an investigation into a hazing incident involving the football team, stemming from allegations in an Aug. 26 report.
Vice President of Student Life Alex Miller confirmed in an emailed statement to The Denisonian Oct. 6 that “the Office of Community Values & Student Conduct (OCVSC) has been reviewing and recently concluded the investigation. … While there were no individual charges, the team was charged with hazing violations.”
“The Athletics Department does not tolerate hazing, and every report of hazing received is taken seriously and investigated,” Athletics Director Nan Carney-DeBord said in an email. “Hazing is unacceptable and antithetical to the values of Denison.”
Although no players were cited individually, all members of the team were to undergo follow-up actions that “ranged from correctional to educational.” The report didn’t specify what those actions were, but Miller later confirmed that the entire team met with the OCVSC to discuss anti-hazing and the results of their investigation.
The Granville Police Department was not involved, and no criminal charges were filed, The Denisonian confirmed.
An incident report provided by the Office of Campus Safety said the event occurred between 10 and 11 p.m. Aug. 23. Members of the team gathered for what the anonymous player characterized as a “yearly tradition.”
According to the report, upperclassmen told all new members, including freshmen and transfers, to report to the intramural fields at 10 p.m. The report said upperclassmen provided alcohol and tobacco to the players, all of whom were underage. The players then were instructed to climb the observation tower as the upperclassmen watched from below. Each new member was allegedly asked to yell out their name, where they are from, and answers to two sexually charged questions.
According to the report, the player who provided the tip was “unsure if this behavior constituted hazing,” but also said he was uncomfortable and felt pressured to participate. He reported the incident on the morning of Aug. 26.
The university, Miller wrote, has an “ethical and legal obligation” to take all reports of hazing seriously. Following the anonymous tip, OCVSC opened an investigation.
“It is important to note that the team has fully engaged with the process, taken responsibility, and shown accountability,” Miller said in the statement. Coach Jack Hatem did not respond to a request for a comment.
Investigations into hazing have taken on greater weight in Ohio since the passing of Collin’s Law in 2021, which expanded the definition of hazing and increased the penalties. The law defines hazing as an act of initiation that risks causing mental or physical harm, including coercing others into drinking alcohol or using drugs.
Under Collin’s Law, the charge for hazing was increased to a second-degree misdemeanor from a fourth degree. Incidents involving drugs and alcohol are a third-degree felony, meaning they can carry nine to 36 months of jail time and a maximum fine of $10,000. Failure to report hazing is also a criminal offense – a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. In cases involving physical harm, the charge is upped to a first-degree misdemeanor and could result in up to six months imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000.
In accordance with Collin’s Law, the university wrote in its August 2023 Hazing Report that it “will publish periodic reports of all reported allegations of this policy and their resolution” on Jan. 1 and Aug. 1 of each year. The report contains the record of incidents in the current year and five years prior.
In 2022-23, two Greek organizations on campus were charged with hazing violations and one performing group was reported to have displayed hazing behavior. In all three incidents, the cases were closed with no hazing violations found. Sanctions were imposed via the formal or alternate resolution pathways, including for “other code violations” not included in the Hazing Report.
In 2019, Denison had its highest number of hazing incidents reported. Eight cases were investigated, seven of which resulted in what the report states as a “Responsible” verdict. Correctional actions listed in the report ranged from written assignments to disciplinary expulsion.
It is not clear from Miller’s statement whether the formal or alternate resolution process was used in this most recent case involving the football team. The football incident will be included in the Jan. 1, 2024, Hazing Report.
The Big Red are 5-3 after beating Wooster 35-31 on Oct. 21 and after a bye week will play Kenyon on Nov. 4.