The New Mexico Department of Justice, attorney general and New Mexico State University president have all released statements and documentation attesting that NMSU has made significant progress in its hazing reform efforts.
Attorney general Raul Torrez told the Las Cruces Sun News, “I want to commend New Mexico State University and its new administration for their valiant efforts to confront and eliminate hazing on campus.”
The New Mexico Department of Justice, attorney general and New Mexico State University president have all released statements and documentation attesting that NMSU has made significant progress in its hazing reform efforts.
Attorney general Raul Torrez told the Las Cruces Sun News, “I want to commend New Mexico State University and its new administration for their valiant efforts to confront and eliminate hazing on campus.”
The attorney general’s office and the DOJ made 35 recommendations to the university to reform hazing on campus. At this time, NMSU has completed 21 of those recommendations.
Back in 2023, three NMSU men’s basketball players were accused of false imprisonment, harassment and several counts of criminal sexual contact against a teammate. The pervasive culture of hazing on the team led NMSU to cancel the remainder of the basketball season. The head coach of the team was also fired in the wake of the incident, and in 2024, the athletic director was also let go.
Related: NMSU Cancels Rest of Men’s Basketball Season Amid Hazing Allegations
In his recent statement, NMSU’s president, Valerio Ferme, said, “Please be assured that New Mexico State University continues to approach these matters with the utmost seriousness. The safety and well-being of our students and the broader university community remains our highest priorities.”
Among some of the completed recommendations is an effort to increase student awareness of reporting options, make transparent and frequent communication with the board of regents, earmark recurring funding toward anti-hazing programs, hear student feedback and revise university policy to ensure clarity.
Yet to be completed are Title IX training for all students, stringent disciplinary measures for students guilty of misconduct and additional scrutiny of future coaching hires.
"We want to thank the Attorney General's Office for its support in helping us understand these challenges,” Ferme said. “There's still work to be done to ensure our campuses are places where everyone, especially students, can safely pursue their educational and professional goals. We have an incredibly devoted group of leaders who are committed to making us better, and we will continue to dedicate time and resources to address hazing and harassment to the best of our abilities.”
