Hazing at UNH

Pop quiz. A UNH organization was just suspended for hazing that involved underage drinking, saran wrap, blindfolds, and telling their subjects they weren't allowed to talk. Was this organization:

A) A fraternity
B) A sorority
C) Actually just members of my apartment
D) CommUNHiversity, the student organization dedicated to bettering the UNH community.

Ding! Ding! Ding! If you guessed (D), CommUNHiversity, you are right! You're either really good at picking out obvious irony or you remember the fact that they were under review and had to cancel their "UNH Best Dance Crew" event.

Thanks to an anonymous tipster, I was able to get the full PDF on the organization's disciplinary hearing. Although, it doesn't not say what exactly was done, the explanations to the charges and the board's rulings sheds some light onto the situation.

Since I can't upload the entire PDF to Blogger, below are the screen grabs of the entire document that I was sent. (Click to enlarge).

If you don't feel like reading through all of it, here are a few of the basics:

• Found responsible of hazing, coercion, intimidation, providing and use of alcohol for those underage and hosting a gathering where illegal drinking occured
• Younger members where blindfolded and saran wrapped by seniors and apparently put into cars that were said to be "speeding and swerving"
• Members could opt out, but they felt peer pressure not too
• They are on organizational suspension through May of 2012
• They are on probation through May of 2014
• They did not receive further penalties in fear that the organization would completely dissolve

So there you have it. Ask and you shall receive. It took a while for this report to come out and for me to get a hold of it, but thanks to a great source the entire UNH community can now see where CommUNHiversity went wrong. Honestly, I think that it is too bad that an organization like this, one dedicated to bettering the UNH community, improving school spirit and basically being all about UNH would pull off these events. CommUNHiversity has really grown since they started just a few years ago, I remember when it was just a Facebook group trying to get more students to attend basketball games and things like that. They put on UNH's Best Dance crew two years ago and it was great. Hopefully this won't be the demise of the organization, because it has potential to do great things on campus. Also, hopefully this will be a lesson to other organizations, if you haze and intimidate kids there is a decent chance that someone might turn you in. I'm sure stuff like this happens often (and I've heard of other things like this involving rush events), but it's almost too bad that this type of organization is the one that gets caught.

I'm sure some people will point a finger at whoever turned them in, but say what you want, hazing is a serious offense. And I don't buy it for a second that the leaders "didn't think it would be hazing." This has hazing written all over it, it is blatantly obvious.

According to the UNH Greek and MUB Hazing Prevention Agreement, which applies to all UNH organizations and teams: “Student hazing” is defined as “any act directed toward a student, or any coercion or intimidation of a student to act or to participate in an act, when (1) such act is likely or would be perceived by a reasonable person as likely to cause physical or psychological injury to any person; and (2) such act is a condition of initiation into, admission into, continued membership in or association with any organization.” The implied or expressed consent of any person toward whom an act of hazing is directed is not a defense to a charge under this anti-hazing statute.


Members weren't forced to do these things, but it is obvious there was at least some degree of intimidation and pressure involved. So other UNH organizations, think before you do things like this. Sure it may be all fun and games, but in the end, is it really worth it? Have fun and party, but leave it at that.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

SCOPE releases survey and WeekieLeak Part III

SCOPE has released their summer survey and they want to hear who UNH students want for their fall shows when the semester starts up. They haven't had as much feedback, probably due to the fact that we're away from school, but they take these surveys seriously and this is your chance to tell them who you want to perform at UNH. Last semester the number one vote getter was Kid Cudi who SCOPE couldn't afford, but they did get Wiz Khalifa, who was the second vote getter... (then again, maybe I don't want you to vote. Never mind there is no survey, don't click on that link!) Whenever people complain about the president or any elected official I ask if they voted, and if they didn't I tell them they have no right to complain. So if you're planning on complaining about SCOPE's next show make sure you do your duty and fill out the survey. I know many of you will probably claim that SCOPE ruined your senior year because they didn't get your favorite artist who: A) either costs more then all of SACF could afford or B) No one else has heard of - but at least if you fill out the survey you can say that you tried to make a difference. In all fairness SCOPE has done pretty well covering different genres over the past few years. If I may make a prediction, I wouldn't be surprised if they went in a dubstep/dance/trance direction for one show and then some sort of rock show, possibly country or folk rock or some sort of alternative rock. To my knowledge they haven't done anything like recently that and those genres have a growing interest among college students. So UNH, it's up to you to tell SCOPE who you want. Please don't disappoint me, I have a tiny bit of faith left.

As for this week's "WeekieLeak" for the summer project, you may be interested to know that it will allow for my for more serious posts, and particularly my TNH columns, to be presented in a more professional manner. I'm probably going to run out of ideas for weekly leaks and hints before summer ends or the new project in launched, but I'll try to keep this going. Until next week,

Stay classy, not UMassy.

UNH: Fourth in the Nation

In a recent article on the Huffington Post  UNH was ranked as the fourth highest instate tuition for all public universities in the country. Only Penn State University Park, Maine Maritime and the University of Vermont ranked ahead of UNH. This is one of those rankings that we should not be proud of. With the impending state budget cuts tuition is sure to rise so what out UVM, we're coming for you!

Update: Saturday June 18


According to an article on Seacoast online, UNH faces a 13% tuition hike for the next school year. At this rate, when does the tuition costs exceed the true value of a public state university? Let's face it, UNH is just a public state university, soon (if it hasn't already happened) the costs will surpass the value and that could be detrimental to UNH's future. It is not efficient and President Huddleston's wishful UNH 2020 Plan is becoming even less realistic. With the impending budget cuts, deteriorating campus, under funded construction (cough Peter T Paul Business School) when will our administration, alumni and state wake up? Raising tuition is a short term answer for a long term problem.

Stay classy, not UMassy.

Summer Project WeekieLeak part 2

"I'm taking on this project like a pro. No fear, this blog will remain the unchanged."

Do you get the hint? Eh? It's in the wording... oooohhhh.... 

We're slowly inching closer to the twitter/facebook sneak peak, so follow/like/friend us if you want to get that chance!

Super Secret Summer Project Underway

Well, I couldn't wait until August so my super secret summer project is underway. I have already had my first leak via facebook and twitter to heighten anticipation (I know you are all dying to find out what's happening at Nonsensical Homebase and in my mind.) The first leak read as follows:

Super Secret Summer Project Leak #1: It is a new "side" project. It will use WordPress. More leaks to follow over the next few weeks.

ooooo, mysterious...

If you actually are interested in this project, follow me on twitter (@UNHBlog) or "like" the blog on facebook for more leaks over the coming weeks. Twitter followers will also get a sneak peak and be offered a chance for feedback before the project is finally announced on this blog, but even the sneak peak won't be until late July or August even. I am really excited to get on work on this and I hope you will enjoy it and appreciate it like I hope. Fear not, this blog will not change at all, this project is more of an extension of this blog and will allow me to transition my blogging from UNH to the my post college career, but it will also be a big part of the upcoming school year. Seriously, this project is going to put Bill Simmon's "Grantland" page to shame. (Not really). But still, you get the picture.

I hope all your summers are going well, so far I've pretty much only been working, but I do have plans for trips to San Francisco and New York City in the works so hopefully those will provide for some inspiration.

I leave you with one of my favorite songs from My Morning Jacket's new album "Circuital." It's "Wonderful" and it is how I feel about this new project right now. I usually like their rockin' stuff more, but this one shows Jim James true musicianship.

Stay classy, not UMassy.