UVM Police Service Summary of Investigation 16UV006861

On 9/24/16 Police Services received information about possible violations of law, including hazing,
involving members of UVMs mens hockey team.
Police Services over the course of the next week conducted an independent and comprehensive
investigation into the information received. The investigation revealed the following details of the
events:
That on the night of 9/23/16 first year hockey team members received a text communication
indicating they needed to gather at a location on the university campus around 10am on 9/24/16
with $20.00 and a roll of toilet paper.
On 9/24/16 the first year team members gathered at the appointed location where they met with a
senior team member who collected the members cell phones and told them to wait for further
instructions. Several hours later a senior team member met with the waiting team members and they
were told to get to an address in S. Burlington in 10 minutes. When the members arrived at the S.
Burlington address they were directed to get to another address in Burlington. The team members
arrived at the Burlington address around 2-2:30 pm.
Once at the Burlington address the first year members were ushered into a bathroom where there
was beer present. The members had removed their shirts as it was hot. At some point they were
asked to remove their shorts and they remained in their boxers for a few hours while participating in
the activities noted below.
Activities included eating a piece of bread soaked in Tequila, playing beer pong, some players
funneled a beer, some members drank 1-2 shots of vodka, and the members were blindfolded and
asked a series of questions that were described as boasting about themselves but did not involve
ingesting alcohol.
Some of the members threw up after eating the bread, and some of the members admitted to
dumping warm beer instead of drinking it. Additionally, some members reported being given water
and told its hot take care of yourself.
The investigation revealed that the Rookie Party consisted of between 15 and 30 members of the
Mens hockey team and that no other persons were present. The Rookie party concluded around
7pm when the first year team members were given a ride back to their residences.
Police Services conducted a review of additional police agencies to assure no members of this event
had involvements with this group of people and we also checked with the UVM MC to ascertain if
any members needed medical attention. None were found.
UVM-PS consulted with the Chittenden County States Attorney on the details of the investigation
noted above and they indicated that given the facts known at this time no criminal charges were
indicated.
The case will be referred to Student Conduct.
No further action will be taken at this time.
Submitted by: Chief Lianne M. Tuomey / 525