Monday marked the beginning of National Hazing Prevention Week. The day also brought word that a Cornell University investigation into alleged hazing activity within its men's lacrosse program concluded that upperclassmen had coerced freshmen into drinking beer as part of a "keg race," which resulted in several players vomiting.
The investigation, which was launched Sept. 12 and prompted university officials on Thursday to cancel Cornell's entire fall varsity lacrosse season, also discovered "the presence of a culture within this group of treating new members as less than equals," according to Cornell's hazing website. "The freshmen were expected to perform menial tasks, including chores and other duties that went above and beyond those expected of the general membership. Additionally, they were expected to spend a large amount of time with the other members in both lacrosse-related and social situations planned by upperclass members of the team."
Monday marked the beginning of National Hazing Prevention Week. The day also brought word that a Cornell University investigation into alleged hazing activity within its men's lacrosse program concluded that upperclassmen had coerced freshmen into drinking beer as part of a "keg race," which resulted in several players vomiting.
The investigation, which was launched Sept. 12 and prompted university officials on Thursday to cancel Cornell's entire fall varsity lacrosse season, also discovered "the presence of a culture within this group of treating new members as less than equals," according to Cornell's hazing website. "The freshmen were expected to perform menial tasks, including chores and other duties that went above and beyond those expected of the general membership. Additionally, they were expected to spend a large amount of time with the other members in both lacrosse-related and social situations planned by upperclass members of the team."
At the gathering in question, freshmen stood tied in a circle by a string passed through their belt loops as they chugged beer in competition with other team members.
In addition to the cancellation of the 2013 fall season, the website notes that "the team will participate in anti-hazing education programs and workshops and those members negatively affected by the hazing incidents will be provided support."
