STU rugby 'rookie' party results in team sanction

St. Thomas University in Fredericton has imposed a one-game suspension against the men's rugby club following an off-campus party where "inappropriate behaviour" allegedly occurred.

Alcohol was provided to underage team members at the "rookie" party and they could have felt compelled to participate in drinking games, athletics director Mike Eagles said in a statement.

The party represented infractions of the university's athletics code of conduct, he said.

"We have reviewed the situation with the coaching staff and with senior players of the team and have determined that a sanction is necessary," said Eagles.

The rugby team was scheduled to play the Univeristy of Prince Edward Island on Saturday. The players were told on Friday that game has now been forfeited.

The two remaining league games on Oct. 13 and 19 are contingent upon successful completion of remedial action by the players, said Eagles.

They have been asked to reflect on their behaviour and give a presentation to Eagles and the vice-president of finance and administration, Lily Fraser, on lessons learned and why they should be allowed to continue their season.

The university has a range of sanction options available under the code of conduct.

Volleyball player died after 2010 rookie party

In 2010, the volleyball team was suspended after a rookie player who attended the team's off-campus initiation party died.

Andrew Bartlett, 21, was found dead in his apartment building the morning of Oct. 24. He had fallen down the stairs and hit his head, police said.

In December, based on the recommendation of an internal committee, the volleyball team was suspended for the rest of the academic year for violating school rules by organizing the team party, at which heavy drinking and hazing took place.

The university's statement of conduct at the time stated that "team initiations were prohibited." The volleyball players had all signed behaviour agreements, indicating they knew the rules.

Last year, the university introduced a controversial new code of conduct that covers all student behaviour on- and off-campus.

The comprehensive code, which covers rights and responsibilities, was intended to clearly lay out the university's expectations for its students.

 A new committee was struck to review complaints about student activities as a part of the new code of conduct.

At the time, director of communications Jeffrey Carleton said anyone violating the code could face punishment ranging from a reprimand to being expelled from the university.