Law firm investigating NMSU’s handling of hazing allegations releases findings report

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The law firm retained by NMSU to investigate the university's handling of recent hazing allegations by two former basketball players released a findings report Wednesday.

"Our investigation focused on a programmatic review of NMSU’s anti-hazing policies and procedures," Greenberg Traurig, LLP said in the report. The law firm specified that it is not investigating the credibility of the hazing allegations themselves, only how the Office of Institutional Equity and Dean of Students Office handled the claims.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP says it interviewed people at the university, reviewed the administration's rules and procedures, and other policies currently in place. The law firm provided two recommendations.

"NMSU should retain an independent, third-party to assist NMSU review and, to the extent necessary, revise its existing training modules to include the latest education in hazing prevention and response. The hazing prevention and response training should be provided to all employees and students, including athletes and students participating in fraternities and sororities," the law firm stated.

NMSU issued a statement to ABC-7. "NMSU continues to regard this matter as extremely important. Once university leaders were made aware of these allegations, extensive measures were taken, including, without limitation: recalling the entire basketball team from their road trip out of state, placing the entire coaching staff on administrative leave, launching an investigation, making mental health counseling available, canceling the remainder of the season, and firing the head coach. The kind of behavior described in those allegations has no place on our campus," said spokesperson Justin Bannister.