LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State University is making progress on implementing reforms in response to a hazing incident involving the university’s men’s basketball team, according to the New Mexico Department of Justice.
Following the hazing incident during the 2022-2023 basketball season, the NMDOJ released a report in December 2024 which identified seven areas of concern and provided 35 recommendations to NMSU aimed at improving campus safety, accountability, and compliance with federal law.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez said NMSU has implemented nearly two-thirds of the 35 recommendations outlined in the report. “In response to our report, Title IX and Hazing on Campus: Lessons Learned from New Mexico State University, NMSU has taken swift and decisive action, completing nearly two-thirds of the 35 recommendations outlined by our office and making substantial progress on the rest. I encourage every university in New Mexico to review this report and adopt similar reforms to foster safer, more supportive environments for their students,” Torrez stated in a news release.
NMSU President Valerio Ferme said that the university is still working to make more improvements. There’s still work to be done to ensure our campuses are places where everyone, especially students, can safely pursue their educational and professional goals. We have an incredibly devoted group of leaders who are committed to making us better, and we will continue to dedicate time and resources to address hazing and harassment to the best of our abilities,” Ferme stated.
The hazing allegations involved now former players Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr., and Doctor Bradley who were accused of sexually harassing and assaulting their teammates and student managers.
Aiken and Bradley, have already taken plea deals for their role in the scandal. As part of the plea deals they provided testimony against Washington and will be sentenced after Washington’s trial which has been delayed multiple times.
