| Incident Report |
|---|
| Timeline: • Date of hazing incident(s): June 17, 2025 • Date reported: June 19, 2025 • Dates of investigation: June 24, 2025–July 16, 2025 • Date of responsible finding: August 22, 2025 |
| Description: Following an investigation, in which the members of the Men’s Club Rugby team participated fully and cooperatively, the University found sufficient evidence to support that the Men’s Club Rugby team had on June 17 members create and send messages to an unofficial group chat that consisted of 15 or more returning players and new members that were explicit, repeated, affirmed, and built upon the following threats: • New members would be coerced or forced to engage in pointless tasks and embarrassing activities, including carrying a pack that would contain various items; supply those items to returning members on demand; and replenish the packs as needed. • New members were threatened with physical abuse if they refused to participate. • New members would be coerced or forced to engage in various forms of sexual misconduct. |
| Violations: • 06. Hazing • 13. Behavior in violation of the University of Rhode Island Policy on Sexual Misconduct • 03. Abusive Conduct • 04. Endangering Behavior • 18. Violation of any University Policy, Rule, or Regulation |
| Did the hazing violation involve the abuse or illegal use of alcohol or drugs? • No |
| Sanctions: • Team suspension from competition of Fall 2025 through Spring 2026 until April 1, 2026. • Disciplinary probation from April 1, 2026–May 31, 2027. • The team must hire a new coach approved by Campus Recreation before organized activities can begin again. • Upon return, the team must complete a workshop hosted by Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services to address concerns related to sexual misconduct and by-stander intervention; 90% of all members, the president, captain, vice president, and executive board member(s) responsible for recruitment must attend and complete the training by the end of the Spring 2026 semester. • Upon return, the team must meet with and utilize Campus Recreation and Student Senate resources to create standards and expectations of behavior the team will uphold. This must be completed prior to Sept 10, 2026 and shared with Campus Recreation for approval. • Only people who have completed hazing and bystander intervention training with the University will be eligible to hold captain and/or executive board positions for the Fall 2026 season. |
| Outcome(s): • As a result of these findings, the Men’s Club Rugby team was found responsible for all charges during an administrative hearing on August 22, 2025. |
