STU hazing will likely mean discipline: president

The president of St. Thomas University says hazing was not directly involved in the October death of a student, but that disciplinary action will likely be taken in connection with a hazing incident that happened the same night.

Cochrane confirmed Wednesday that 21-year-old Andrew Bartlett had been at a volleyball team party on the night of Oct. 23, and that it involved hazing.

Police discovered his body early the next morning, a Sunday.

A police report released earlier Wednesday concluded Bartlett fell down stairs at his Fredericton apartment building and hit his head. Alcohol was a factor in the accident, police say.

Cochrane said STU has strong policies against hazing.

"There was an event that took place on campus and off campus that would meet the definition of hazing," he said.

"First-year players were identified and treated a little differently than the veteran members of the team. And as a result, that fits the definition of what hazing would be. That's a concern to us. Obviously it's a concern to everyone because this one had an eventual tragic outcome."

Bartlett, of St. Andrews, was a fourth-year arts student and a rookie member of the university's volleyball team.

The Fredericton Police report concluded Bartlett's death was the result of an accidental fall.

"Final findings upon conclusion of the investigation confirm that there was nothing suspicious regarding the death and that no criminal activity was involved," the report said.

Along with the police investigation, St. Thomas University launched its own internal probe into hazing allegations.

Cochrane appointed Larry Batt, the registrar and dean of students, and Mike Eagles, the university's athletics director, to determine if the allegations were true.

Cochrane says he'll release the full details of the investigation Thursday.