Citadel: Majority of hazing claims 'training violations,' not hazing

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - The Citadel completed its investigation of 85 hazing allegations reported in February and said most were not cases of hazing.

But 19 of the cases were considered hazing and the cadets responsible have been recommended for suspension, dismissal or expulsion and are in the appeals process, according to a statement from The Citadel.

"There simply is no place for hazing at The Citadel," Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa said in a statement. "It does not represent what we stand for, it is not consistent with our core values, and it does not prepare our cadets to be leaders of character."

School officials say nine cadets have withdrawn or resigned and three cases were dismissed. An additional case will be decided next semester because of "extenuating circumstances," they said.

The investigation concluded the majority of the cases were "training violations against freshman cadets".

Kim Keelor, a spokeswoman for The Citadel, said these violations could include unauthorized physical activity; for example a cadet to do push-ups behind closed doors. Those cases resulted in on-campus punishment, which is included, but not limited to, rifle tours, where a cadet must march around with a rifle for an extended period of time, to trash pick up and community service, school officials said.

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