Student-athletes briefed on forms of hazing

Discussion a part of year-long effort to educate

Elizabeth Pacheco Guest Writer

Acacia O'Connor Senior Editor

As fall athletes kick off their seasons, winter and spring sports teams are beginning to plan for their competitions as well. Included in these preparations was a mandatory meeting held for student-athletes on Thursday, Sept. 7 in Rockefeller Hall. During the meeting, athletes filled out National Collegiate Athletic Association compliance forms, and were briefed on the possibilities of drug testing, as well as the ramifications of hazing practices. While athletes concurred with the grave consequences that occur as a result of hazing, some also questioned why the practice of Serenading is permissible, since it bears similar characteristics to hazing.

House Advisor for Cushing and Noyes Scott Radimer ran the hazing presentation. Radimer swam at a Division I level when he attended the University of Vermont.
During the presentation, Radimer conveyed the dangerous reality of college campus hazing. In his lecture, he defined hazing, gave various examples, and discussed the consequences of participation. Along with having personal experience with hazing, Radimer has done research and given other presentations on its risks.

“As a former athlete himself, he had a good basis on which to speak,” said Associate Athletic Director Kim Culligan. Culligan said that the Athletics Department plans to present different educational forums and presentations throughout the academic year.

Radimer felt the presentation was successful. “I wanted everyone to know that this is something Vassar takes seriously, something that comes from a caring place, not a punitive position,” said Radimer. “Given the time and technical restraints, I thought it went well.”

As defined by the Athletics Department in the Vassar College Student Athlete Handbook code of conduct, hazing is “any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities that are not consistent with the regulation and policies of Vassar College.”

Subtle hazing violates respect between teammates based on behaviors involving a power disparity between rookie and veteran team players, said Radimer. Harassment hazing inflicts emotional or physical pain, frustration and stress. Verbal abuse, threats or implied threats, and sleep deprivation are all examples of harassment.

The final and most serious type, violent hazing, causes physical, emotional and/or psychological harm, and sometimes death.

Radimer’s presentation on Sept. 7 was his second such talk to Vassar student-athletes. Prior to the beginning of classes, before many students arrived on campus, fall sports teams received a briefing on hazing.
After Radimer finished speaking, Men’s soccer player Matt Curry ’07 asked him his opinion regarding the practice of Serenading, noting that Serenading creates an atmosphere similar to that outlined in Radimer’s definition of hazing. During Serenading, underclassmen are placed in a situation in which they are often embarassed and insulted by condiment-wielding seniors.

“I asked him, as a representative of Residential Life, how does he justify the practice of Serenading?” said Curry. “And he said ‘I don’t.”
Regarding the presentation, Curry said it was useful, but reiterated that there is hypocrisy at work when the College chooses not to classify Serenading as hazing. “There was a lot of useful information in it,” said Curry of Radimer’s presentation. “But I just get angry about how there’s some hypocrisy on campus, especially when it comes to athletes.”

Teammate Kyle Denny ’07 echoed Curry’s sentiments. “I commend the effort on the part of the Athletics Department, but there’s a discrepancy that needs to be addressed with Serenading. What is Serenading but a school-wide form of hazing?”

Punishment for sports hazing can be as severe as jail time. In New York State, first and second degree hazing is a felony punishable by jail time and automatically put on one’s permanent record. At colleges and universities, penalties can include a loss of housing privileges and expulsion or suspension from a team and/or school. While hazing is best known among varsity level teams, Vassar prohibits hazing under all “circumstances, whether in the context of a structured organization, or an informal group, or by an individual,” according to the Student Athlete Handbook.

“You can’t break the law in one department and have it be okay,” said Denny. “It’s just mixed signals coming from the school in general.”

Since hazing is commonly used as a form of team bonding, Radimer also suggested some alternative activities such as community service, team building activities, or a ropes course.

During the meeting, Culligan also noted that if any athlete knows of or has been subjected to hazing, there are many options for finding help on campus. Coaches, advisors, athletic administration, and Security all serve as resources, as well as Baldwin Medical Center and Metcalf House.