Post by Fr. K on Aug 26, 2016 16:22:40 GMT -5
College of the Holy Cross
Dear Members of the Holy Cross Community,
As we embark on a new academic year, I wanted to provide an update on the review we undertook last semester regarding the practices and culture in our athletic program as they relate to hazing. In January, I told you that we asked attorney Philip Catanzano to lead this review, due to his expertise and experience with intercollegiate athletics as an attorney and investigator at the U.S. Department of Education and at the law firm of Holland & Knight.
The findings of the review, which included interviews with 49 student-athletes from 16 teams and 21 faculty, administrators and Department of Athletics staff, were largely positive. The investigators found that there was no evidence of a prevalent practice of hazing within the Department of Athletics nor is there a culture in which hazing would be condoned.
The report contained four recommendations which we plan to implement as we continue to strive to sustain a safe and respectful working and learning environment:
Recommendation: Enhanced Training Regarding Hazing
The Department of Athletics will be undertaking more robust training beginning with the first team meetings this fall. Assistant Athletics Director Ryan Colton will meet with all sports teams to establish the Department’s expectations for conduct and policies regarding hazing. Additional training for all student-athletes will occur during the fall semester through an enhanced online education software application.
Recommendation: Verify Full Compliance with the Massachusetts Hazing Statute
The report found that our Department of Athletics is in compliance with the Massachusetts Hazing Statute. The review did not include other College groups, club teams or organizations outside of the Department of Athletics. The College is working to verify full compliance for all relevant groups, teams and organizations.
Recommendation: Establish Mechanisms to Encourage Reporting
The Department of Athletics, which has an established protocol for reporting, is working with the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, as well as our General Counsel and others, to address this recommendation.
Recommendation: Building Consensus between Athletics and Academics
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Margaret Freije and Director of Athletics Nathan Pine are working closely to create more opportunities for dialogue and conversation between the faculty and members of the Department of Athletics.
While we are confident in the results of this thorough review, we will continue to actively work to ensure that all of our students, faculty and staff are able to work and learn as members of a respectful community that lives our mission and values.
Sincerely,
Boroughs
Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.
President
Dear Members of the Holy Cross Community,
As we embark on a new academic year, I wanted to provide an update on the review we undertook last semester regarding the practices and culture in our athletic program as they relate to hazing. In January, I told you that we asked attorney Philip Catanzano to lead this review, due to his expertise and experience with intercollegiate athletics as an attorney and investigator at the U.S. Department of Education and at the law firm of Holland & Knight.
The findings of the review, which included interviews with 49 student-athletes from 16 teams and 21 faculty, administrators and Department of Athletics staff, were largely positive. The investigators found that there was no evidence of a prevalent practice of hazing within the Department of Athletics nor is there a culture in which hazing would be condoned.
The report contained four recommendations which we plan to implement as we continue to strive to sustain a safe and respectful working and learning environment:
Recommendation: Enhanced Training Regarding Hazing
The Department of Athletics will be undertaking more robust training beginning with the first team meetings this fall. Assistant Athletics Director Ryan Colton will meet with all sports teams to establish the Department’s expectations for conduct and policies regarding hazing. Additional training for all student-athletes will occur during the fall semester through an enhanced online education software application.
Recommendation: Verify Full Compliance with the Massachusetts Hazing Statute
The report found that our Department of Athletics is in compliance with the Massachusetts Hazing Statute. The review did not include other College groups, club teams or organizations outside of the Department of Athletics. The College is working to verify full compliance for all relevant groups, teams and organizations.
Recommendation: Establish Mechanisms to Encourage Reporting
The Department of Athletics, which has an established protocol for reporting, is working with the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, as well as our General Counsel and others, to address this recommendation.
Recommendation: Building Consensus between Athletics and Academics
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Margaret Freije and Director of Athletics Nathan Pine are working closely to create more opportunities for dialogue and conversation between the faculty and members of the Department of Athletics.
While we are confident in the results of this thorough review, we will continue to actively work to ensure that all of our students, faculty and staff are able to work and learn as members of a respectful community that lives our mission and values.
Sincerely,
Boroughs
Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.
President
