A photo depicting three freshmen members of the women's cross country team involved in an apparent hazing incident during the fall semester was obtained by The Daily Helmsman Wednesday.
The photo portrays three women in the foreground, at least one of whom is holding an alcoholic beverage. The women are dressed in revealing clothes with the words, "fresh meat" and "frosh" written on their foreheads.
The three women were singing a song they had written at different fraternity houses, according to a witness.
Also written just below their necks are the letters "XC", a shortened term for cross-country.
The incident would violate the Student Code of Conduct at The University of Memphis.
According to the U of M's athletic Web site, all three freshmen cross-country team members are under 21 years of age.
Behind the three freshmen, identified as Carolyn Corbett, Emily Malinowski and Meghan Shinkwin, are upperclassman members of the team.
The Daily Helmsman later learned the incriminating picture was taken on the corner of Brister and Mynders, about a block from the main campus, by recent graduate John Zastrow.
Meghan Shinkwin, one of the freshmen on the cross-country team, said she didn't consider the incident hazing, but "freshman bonding."
"We were just having fun," she said.
Zastrow witnessed the act and said everyone at the scene was laughing and having fun.
However, according to the Tennessee Anti-hazing Law and the Memphis student handbook Section III, Article E, under Student Rights and Responsibilities, hazing is defined as "actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization."
In addition, hazing does not have to be a forced action but can, in fact, be voluntary.
"If you require the new members to do something current members aren't required to do, it is considered hazing," said Whitney Rice, Greek advisor to The U of M. "It does not matter if you voluntarily do it or if you're asked to do it, it's still hazing."
Pictures of the three freshmen were also found on Facebook.com.
As reported in The Daily Helmsman Wednesday, Facebook has been used for disciplinary action at other colleges, specifically when underage drinking is involved.
The photos posted on Facebook were removed less than one hour after The Helmsman began contacting the three individuals involved.
Women's cross-country coach Jonas Holdeman declined to comment on the matter.
Efforts to contact U of M athletic director R.C. Johnson were unsuccessful.
However, associate athletic director Bob Winn offered this: "Officials with the athletic department have talked to three members of The University of Memphis cross-country team, and we have been assured by all three of the young ladies when they arrived at The U of M in the fall of 2005 that they in no way underwent any form of hazing nor initiation as part of being a member of the women's cross-country team. At this point, not having seen the photograph, we certainly have to believe the reports we have received from these three athletes."
