The incident occurred last week on the first day of classes at Point Loma Nazarene College, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Students in Young Hall, a men-only dorm, said they were awakened in the small hours, told to march to the water in their shorts and then to strip and swim.

Some students complained of being slapped and said upper classmen urinated on them.

Brandon Handy, who was a freshman at the college last year and no longer goes there, said he was subjected to the night swim. But he said the only slaps were more friendly taps and the experience was not necessarily a bad one.

College officials said some resident advisors in Young Hall might face discipline.