Four students eyed in UNH hazing incident

Four students eyed in UNH hazing incident
Updated report

By AARON SANBORN
Democrat Staff Writer


DURHAM — Four students are under investigation by the University of New Hampshire police for an alleged hazing incident on Monday night.

Police say a male Army ROTC cadet had been left tied up in the bucket of a utility truck on Boulder Field shortly after 11 p.m. Police officers patrolling the area found the student after pulling over a vehicle leaving the field.

Three first-year cadets were in the vehicle and when questioned disclosed to the officer that a senior cadet was tied up in the utility bucket truck. All four students are now being investigated.

The student was uninjured and fully clothed, said Deputy UNH Chief Paul Dean. How long the student was tied up and how he was tied up was not disclosed. The student's participation in this incident was voluntary, Dean said.

The cadets were part of an informal, unrecognized student organization called The Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers. The organization contains 23 ROTC cadets who perform community service, said University spokesperson Kim Billings. Since the school doesn't recognize the organization, it doesn't have a faculty adviser.

"The alleged hazing incident involving our cadets is not representative of the ROTC program or the university," said Lt. Col. Michael Carlino, UNH professor of military science, in a statement. "The students involved were acting well outside the purview of the department and in total absence of any of the instructors' knowledge. Any form of hazing is inconsistent with the principles of leadership and judgment that we try to instill in our cadets and we will not tolerate or condone such behavior."

Police hope to conclude the investigation by the end of the week.

"I can't remember the last time we had a hazing incident at the university," Dean said. "We take any hazing incident seriously, the psychological effects on anyone being hazed can be devastating. We will act directly and swiftly."

Hazing is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,200 fine. The students could also face action from the college, depending on the results of the police investigation, Billings said.

"We could also take them through the Student Conduct Board, which could result in community service or suspension," Billings said.