Hazing complaint at Dalhousie leads to men's rugby club suspension
Dalhousie University in Halifax has suspended its men's rugby club after a hazing complaint prompted an investigation, according to a statement posted on the school's website.
The university said it received a complaint from an employee regarding activities by the Dalhousie Tigers Men's Rugby Club. The allegations are being investigated by the university, which did not provide details on the nature of the hazing.
The club was already under probation for a separate, unrelated incident earlier this month, the university said. The nature of that incident was also not revealed.
The combination of the two incidents led school officials to suspend the club pending the outcome of the investigation, meaning the teams will not represent Dalhousie University in the Rugby Nova Scotia university league.
The club will not get any funding from the university, can't book university space and its members can't wear university colours and uniforms, the school said.
Under the school policy, the investigation must be completed within 60 days.
Dalhousie University's department of athletics and recreational services has a policy that states it "does not condone the hazing or initiation of athletes and students in any form, whether such activities occur on or off the campus of Dalhousie University."
The policy goes on to state, "Any student athletes, team personnel or coaches encouraging, facilitating or participating in such activities may be subject to disciplinary action including immediate suspension or dismissal from the Dalhousie University varsity program and/or the university."
In January 2013, 19 members of the Dalhousie women's hockey team were suspended for hazing. The suspension left only five players remaining — all first-year players — and it was impossible to put together a team for the rest of the season.
