"His actions were well intended; they weren't overtly sexual," Mercado said.
Craig Parker, the northeastern collegiate director for the Navigators and Spaulding's supervisor, oversaw the investigation into the claims, although Parker would not explain the nature of the investigation or give a specific reason for Spaulding's resignation.
"There was misconduct," Parker said. "There was administrative action taken against him that involved an extensive process of inquiry and an administrative decision."
Parker, who said he has been as discreet as possible throughout the investigation, began the process of inquiry six weeks ago when concerns about misconduct were brought to his attention, he said.
Parker refused to comment more specifically on the allegations against Spaulding or on who brought them, citing privacy concerns.
"[Spaulding] was asked to step down from his position as campus director but to continue on staff in a restoration process where the issues of misconduct can be addressed," Parker said. "He will be free to focus on personal assessment and eventual reassignment."
Jolyon Rivoir-Pruzinski '00, who will assume Spaulding's position as campus director immediately, said he is unsure of what the restoration process will entail.
Spaulding, who could not be reached by press time, has worked with Dartmouth students for two years. The Navigators will re-assign Spaulding to another position within the national organization, although it is unclear when and where he will be reassigned, according to Parker.
Parker announced Spaulding's decision to students at a weekly student leadership meeting Thursday. Meeting attendance was higher than usual as several students predicted the topic of discussion, Rivoir-Pruszinski said.
The anonymous student said he was "furious" with the Navigators' decision to ask Spaulding to step down and disappointed with those who took the claims into consideration.
"This outspoken minority unfortunately made a decision for an entire community and did not represent the beliefs or feelings of a majority," the student said in an e-mail. "I believe that the arguments against Spaulding were very exaggerated and one sided."
Spaulding's statements about his misconduct were not taken into consideration, according to the student.
"The small group accusing him has been against him since he joined the Navigators staff," the student said, adding that members with similar leadership styles to Spaulding's have been removed from next year's Navigators' staff.
Mercado said that he hopes the controversy does not compromise the group's cohesiveness.
"A part of our community disagrees with the national Navigators' decision, yet whatever flaws there are, we will come to forgive each other, move on and grow," Mercado said.
Parker and Rivoir-Pruszinski expressed their sadness for Spaulding and all of those have been affected by the decision, as Parker highlighted Spaulding's success as a minister among athletes.
"The majority of the Navigators agree that Steven's ministry was highly effective," Mercado said. "One aspect of it was how he stood as a person -- he was beyond reproach. He stood as a man that was totally honest, totally pure."
Andrew von Kuhn '09, a member of Dartmouth's football team who has been involved with the Navigators for two years, said the news of Spaulding's resignation was devastating. Spaulding brought a previously unseen excitement to the organization, von Kuhn said, adding that he views Spaulding as a mentor.
"I'm really kind of questioning the reasons, and, to this point, they haven't been presented. I'm a little frustrated with the Navigators for not coming forth," von Kuhn said. "[The announcement] left a lot of room open for speculation, which is unfortunate. I hope they were right in their decision, is all I can say."
Von Kuhn declined to discuss the nature of the allegations against Spaulding.
Evan Carlson '08, who has been involved with the organization for four years, said he was surprised by the news but recognized the difficulty of the Navigators' decision. Carlson also declined to comment on the nature of the allegations against Spaulding.
"Jolyon is also very capable," Carlson said. "I strongly believe this is an organization bigger than its leader. We love Steve Spaulding, he's done a great job, and it's still a great organization."
Dartmouth's Navigators chapter, which has approximately 120 members, is a part of the Tucker Foundation's United Campus Ministries, an umbrella organization for religious groups. College Chaplain Richard Crocker leads the group, which meets monthly to discuss shared concerns and events, according to Kurt Nelson, the multi-faith program adviser for the Tucker Foundation.
Spaulding, who has been employed by the Navigators for six years, worked at the University of North Texas prior to coming to Dartmouth.
