Harvard Suspends Orchestra Following Hazing Investigation 

Timothy M. Burke, Fraternal Law Partners, tburke@manleyburke.com

The Harvard Crimson, in an article updated September 26, 2025, reported that Harvard College has suspended the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra (HRO) for the remainder of the fall semester due to an ongoing hazing investigation.1

According to the Crimson, the investigation stems from events at HRO’s annual retreat, held off campus on September 6, 2025.  It is alleged that new members were lined up and quizzed on the names of upperclassmen, then blindfolded and led outdoors, where they were told to tap an upperclass member once to request water or twice to request a vodka shot.

In a statement obtained by the Crimson, Associate Dean for Student Engagement Jason R. Meier wrote, “we can’t share details about individual student matters, but the College is committed to following the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, Massachusetts state laws, and the Harvard University Hazing Policy.”2

While suspended, the HRO’s student board is barred from meeting for club activities, holding social events, and hosting outreach programming, per the Crimson’s reporting. However, the orchestra’s conductor, Federico Cortese, asserts that rehearsals and concerts will continue, since HRO also functions as an academic activity under Harvard’s course “Music 110.”3

1 Elyse C. Goncalves & Cam N. Srivastava, College Suspends Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra After Hazing Investigation, Harvard Crimson (Sept. 26, 2025, 6:00 AM).

2 Id.

3 Id.