Boston College Swimming Program Suspended Indefinitely for Hazing
The Boston College Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving program has been placed on indefinite suspension by the university.
The university administrators determined that hazing had occurred within the program in an internal investigation.
“The University does not—and will not—tolerate hazing in any form. During the suspension, all Swimming and Diving student-athletes will continue to have access to academic and medical resources provided to all Boston College student-athletes,” the university’s statement reads.
It does not discuss who did the hazing or any specific details at this time.
UPDATE: Boston College on Thursday afternoon amended its official statement, clarifying that it had received, “credible reports of hazing.” The original statement had declared that, “University administrators determined that hazing had occurred within the program.”
The original statement from Wednesday:
The Boston College Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving program has been placed on indefinite suspension, after University administrators determined that hazing had occurred within the program. Consistent with University policy, the matter will be investigated by the Office of the Dean of Students and adjudicated fairly and impartially through the student conduct process.
The University does not—and will not—tolerate hazing in any form. During the suspension, all Swimming and Diving student-athletes will continue to have access to academic and medical resources provided to all Boston College student-athletes.
And Thursday’s clarification:
Boston College Athletics has suspended the activities of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams following credible reports of hazing. Based on the information known at this time, Athletics has determined a program suspension is warranted, pending a full investigation by the University.
Consistent with University policy, the matter will be investigated by the Office of the Dean of Students and adjudicated fairly and impartially through the student conduct process. Once the investigation and adjudication process is complete, Athletics will reassess the status of the teams.
Examples of hazing include “alcohol use, personal servitude; sleep deprivation and restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing, and insulting new members/rookies, forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one’s skin; brandings; physical beatings; binge drinking and drinking games, sexual simulation and sexual assault,” according to the school’s handbook. first reported by USA TODAY .
No further details have been released at this time.
Hazing has long been an issue around college campuses. Most recently it shook up the Northwestern football program, leading to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Brown University swimming was suspended in 2018 for hazing issues, as was Colgate that same year. Dartmouth’s women’s team was also placed on probation for it in 2017.
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