Ohio University’s men’s water polo club team has been suspended and barred from practicing and competing after hazing allegations.
The team received a letter the week of Sept. 9 from The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility informing the members that they can’t function as a university club for the time being, said Jenny Hall-Jones, dean of students.
“They’ve been told they are not allowed to practice as a water polo club right now, and we’re going through an investigatory process,” Hall-Jones said.
Hall-Jones couldn’t provide further details given the university’s ongoing investigation.
“In order for an organization to be held accountable, it would have to be something that happened that was organization-sponsored and that met the definitions of hazing,” Hall-Jones said.
Hazing is considered a “Code A” offense under OU’s Section A4 — Mental or Bodily Harm to Others. A violation of a Code A offense “may result in sanctions of suspension or expulsion of the individual or organization from the university,” according to the Community Standards website.
“Intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict mental or bodily harm upon one’s self or taking reckless, but not accidental, action from which mental or bodily harm could result to one’s self” are both Code A Section A4 violations, according to the Community Standards website.
“Right now we’re not exactly an active club sport. We are really unable to talk about what’s going on right now. We’re not able to talk about being a club sport right now,” said Jacob Grant, a junior studying finance who has been on the water polo team for two years.
If a student organization is accused of hazing, an investigation is launched by Community Standards. The organization undergoes a procedural interview where the organization would be given the chance to admit or deny the charges.
The leader or president of the organization represents the organization during the judicial process. If the organization were to admit to the charges it would receive a sanction. If it denies the charges, it would go on to an administrative hearing or a hearing board, Hall-Jones said.
If the investigation’s results fail to provide enough evidence, the suspension ends and the club will be able to carry on as normal, Hall-Jones said.
Although often stereotyped as a Greek life activity, hazing happens in other organizations, said Kristen Kardas, assistant director for OU’s Greek Life, which oversaw its poster campaign for National Hazing Prevention Week.
National Hazing Prevention Week is typically the last month of September.
Will Drabold contributed to this article.
md781510@ohiou.edu
@MariaDeVito13
