Gents hazing involved dunkings in jungle juice

New details have surfaced about the spring 2008 incident that led to the probation of one of UNH's popular a cappella groups. The New Hampshire Gentlemen accepted responsibility for nine violations of UNH policy, including hazing and providing underage people with alcohol.

According to the disciplinary hearing decision released by the Office of Conduct and Mediation on Tuesday, the hazing occurred at a large party that involved a punch that had a high alcohol content, a drink commonly referred to as jungle juice. New members of the singing group had their heads dunked in the punch by other members as a rite of initiation.

The Gents' musical director, sophomore Jon Blauvelt, admitted to the New Hampshire Union Leader on Tuesday that the dunking did happen and that it had been a tradition within the organization. In that same interview, Blauvelt also said that dunking wasn't an apt description, instead preferring to describe it as a dip.

Blauvelt wasn't immediately available for comment Thursday.

It's unclear how much or what kind of alcohol was in the punch. Jungle juice has no defined recipe, but is instead noted for its haphazard creation method of mixing many different types and flavors of alcohol and juices together. The drink is normally potent.

In the UNH Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, hazing is defined "as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student… for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization."

In finding the Gents violated this and other rules, the judicial officer in the case, who wasn't named in the release, wrote "this type of activity sends a message to all students that drinking and particularly, high-risk drinking, is desirable."

Anne Lawing, senior assistant vice-president of student and academic affairs, agreed with the judicial officers' sentiments.

"I believe it was hazing," said Lawing, also responding to the criticisms the Gents' actions were somehow more innocent than other forms of hazing. "One of the hallmarks of hazing is the that the victim agrees to something under subtle or overt pressure from officers or other leaders."

Lawing said the leaders at the party showed "a power indifference" that led to their punishment. She said she was relieved no one was harmed or hospitalized because of their actions.

Still, the fact that no members of the Gents were hurt doesn't preclude them from sanctions, according to Lawing.

"When we receive a report of high risk behavior, we're obligated to follow up on it," said Lawing, "and we will meet our obligation."

As punishment, the group is on organization probation through Dec. 31, 2010, and won't be permitted to have on-campus shows until the beginning of fall semester 2009. They will not have no-off campus shows until the beginning of spring semester 2010.

The Gents were granted an exception to be able to perform, for no financial gain, for primary and secondary schools as well as assisted-living facilities.

The group must also participate in a hazing workshop and develop a comprehensive plan to educate new members.

The Gents will, however, be allowed to perform their annual winter show this Saturday at 7 p.m.

In an article written before UNH's sanctions were officially released, Blauvelt told The New Hampshire he expects the organization to survive despite their probation period and that the Gents will to performing in September 2009.

The Gents are the fourth student organization to be disciplined this semester.

In October, the Sigma Beta fraternity was permanently suspended from campus for multiple university violations stemming from a May 2008 incident and in the wake of a drug raid by state authorities that resulted in the arrest of eight of its members.

Freshman Camp was also dismissed after the group violated the terms of their probation with lewd and indecent conduct at this year's camp.

In November, the Phi Mu Delta fraternity was interim suspended after two bids were sent to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. The fraternity had their charter stripped by their national organization before the university imposed sanctions, but the result was effectively the same as a suspension by the university.