University of Iowa Men's Baseball "Non-Hazing" Incident Final Report

For those of you who haven't been following this story, the short version goes a little something like this: a few weeks back someone emailed pictures from a Facebook page marked "baseball initiation" to an Iowa newspaper and the University of Iowa that appeared to show freshman members of the men's baseball team, naked except of hats covering their genitals, singing. The athletic department launched a thorough investigation and two weeks later concluded that although they were indeed freshman members of the team and yes, they were singing the school fight song naked, it wasn't hazing, just poor judgment. BadJocks researched the school's own hazing policy and found the following: 

Hazing is any intentional or unintentional reckless action or situation – with or without consent – that endangers a student or creates risk of injury, mental or physical discomfort, harassment, embarrassment, and/or ridicule – whether on campus or off campus – for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in any student organization or team . . .

Now to us, that seemed like what had happened was indeed hazing and we emailed the UI with some follow-up questions regarding the standards they used for their investigation, if it was something other than the school's own policy. No response. So, about ten days ago we sent a FOIA (freedom of information act) request asking for documents related to the investigation and, of course, copies of the pictures. We have to say that the Hawkeyes responded in a fairly timely manner, be we find it hard to believe that their investigators took no notes of any kind when interviewing baseball players and coach before submitting the final report (below) or University President David Skorton. (They also didn't keep the pictures.) The interesting parts--from our perspective--is that this wasn't the first time this happened, but because some freshman declined to participate and the fact that no one involved felt it was hazing, it must not have been. So we went to our hazing experts, Professor Hank Nuwer and Dr. Susan Lipkins and got their opinion of the report. According to Hank:

There is no doubt in my mind that the issue was hazing. It also was a shame that the university didn't appoint a faculty member who has studied hazing to the two-member committee. It sounds as if all proceeded with good intentions, but we know where that paved road leads. Yes, hazing can occur even if only one new baseball player was hazed. Yes, hazing can occur in a party atmosphere. Conclusion? The university--with apparent all good intentions-- contributed to the ignorance associated with hazing. As far as investigations go, this one should be considered fatally flawed.

And this from our good friend Dr. Lipkins:

The fact that freshmen participated by choice, still makes it a hazing. 
The fact that not all freshmen participated is common in hazings. 
The fact that there were bystanders and perpetrators, make it consistent with a hazing. 
The fact that it happened the previous year is common in hazings. 
The fact that kids did not feel pressured is not uncommon. 
The fact that it was directed by senior members is consistent with a hazing. 
The fact that other kids, not from the team, were at the party, speaks against it as a hazing, but who knows the actual circumstances. And the fact that there was underage drinking is consistent w/hazing.

We take that as two strong vote for it being hazing. Read it for yourself and see what you think.

Oh, and one more thing. This news report about a frat hazing incident a couple years back:

November 29, 2004
UI suspends fraternity until 2009
By the Press-Citizen
The University of Iowa has suspended recognition of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity until fall 2009 based on information that members provided alcohol to pledges at the chapter house, UI announced Monday. An investigation also revealed some of the pledges had performed calisthenics as part of or following an Oct. 20 pledge test. UI’s decision to suspend the Gamma Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha was made concurrently with the Supreme Council and staff of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity. The International Fraternity’s decision was in response to the chapter’s violation of the Fraternity’s Standards of Retention of Membership, school officials said. Suspension of university recognition means that the fraternity is not eligible to participate in university programs or the Interfraternity Council activities and meetings.

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