[hoosier]

Corps members charged in hazing incident

By C.E. Walters
October 10, 2002
Front Page
Overseas day to educate on traveling abroad
RHA, Hart officers charged with hazing
Soderberg named freshman class president in runoff
Student kidnapped at gunpoint and robbed



Twenty students from the Corps of Cadets A-Battery involved in a hazing incident earlier this year were charged and held accountable for their actions this fall following a University Police Department (UPD) investigation, officials said.

Photos found in June on the computer server of Texas A&M's yearbook, the Aggieland, depicted a man being stripped of his clothes, blindfolded and bound at the wrists, ankles and knees with duct tape. UPD Director Bob Wiatt later confirmed that the men involved in the incident were members of A-Battery, part of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.

Wiatt said this summer the photos appeared to be hazing, but did not constitute criminal hazing, in which a person is forced to participate or is otherwise injured in the activities.

Officials would not say what form the cadets' punishment took, nor identify the students who received it, saying the information is protected under the Family Education Rights and Principals Act, which keeps certain student information confidential.

Though the photos were found in June, it is still not clear when the incident took place.

Collins said the cadets, comprising most of the unit, were charged with conduct unbecoming a cadet. While no criminal charges were pursued by the Brazos County District Attorney's Office, the University brought the cadets before joint Department of Student Life and Corps hearings.

After a series of one-on-one hearings, 20 cadets were issued University sanctions, which can range from expulsion to differed suspension to a warning, said Assistant Director of Student Life Mike Collins.

Collins said Corps disciplinary cases are investigated by both the Corps and the University.

Hearing officers examined the UPD's reports to determine if there was a violation and then issued charge letters, Collins said. Hearings were held between the student, an official from Student Life, a Corps representative and an optional adviser of the student's choice.

Corps representatives were present at every hearing, said Richard Mallahan, Corps assistant commandant.