Return to the BadJocks Home Page
| An Open Letter to University of Georgia President Dr. Michael F. Adams January 28, 2008 Dear Dr. Adams: As you are well aware, in 2006 the University of Georgia unveiled a new anti-hazing policy that is very specific about the type of behavior that is not allowed within student organizations as a requirement for membership. Those in the national anti-hazing community applaud your school for its leadership in this area. As a member of the NCAA Executive Committee, you are also aware of the recent emphasis that organization placed on preventing hazing at your recent convention. Just recently, however, a newspaper article in the Savannah Morning News by Nathan Dominitz (“Hair apparent: Savannah freshman one of Georgia's rising talents” dated Saturday, January 19, 2008) describing in detail how a freshman member of UGA’s club hockey team had his head shaved as part of an annual team “tradition.” This “rite of passage” (as the coach John Hoos referred to it) was brought to the attention of your Division of Student Affairs last week and they are reportedly investigating it as a possible violation of those tough, new anti-hazing policies. Again, the University of Georgia should be applauded for the rapid response to this incident. Now comes the real test, Dr. Adams. On Thursday, January 24, 2008, a follow-up article appeared in the Athens Banner-Herald (“Shaved heads raise hazing concerns: Hockey team's practice targeted”). In it, Lee Shearer reported on the alleged club hockey team incident and pointed out that head shaving of freshman is not uncommon among sports teams at UGA, and still practiced to this day by your highly regarded football team. It also featured a picture of three forlorn freshmen with their butchered haircuts. My question for you sir is whether you are going to stand behind UGA's strong policy--and the NCAA's emphasis on preventing hazing--or will you cave in to inappropriate behavior by members of your athletic teams, even if it tries to hide behind the curtain of “tradition?” It is obvious from reading your policy that a lot of work went into writing it; but the true test is not in the writing, but in the enforcement. If you do not intent to enforce such a strict policy, why bother having it? I look forward to your response to my questions and any action that might be taken against anyone who violates the anti-hazing policy at the University of Georgia. Please note that I will be posting this letter (and any subsequent responses from you, your representatives, or anyone in an official capacity at the University of Georgia) on my website, BadJocks.com. Sincerely, Bob Reno Publisher BadJocks.com http://www.badjocks.com PS: If you have any pull at the State Capital, you may want to let them know that the State of Georgia’s hazing law is woefully outdated and inadequate. |