Hazing Leads to Student’s Death Photo courtesy of: famu.edu

Maegan Dunn

• 1887—State Normal College for Colored People founded • 1953—Received university status & changed name to Florida

Agricultural and Mechanical University • 1956—First African American institution to be a member of the

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools • 1997—Named by TIME Magazine the College of the Year ‘97-’98

Leader in African American education with strong social and ethical morals

Photo courtesy of: baynews9.com

•U.S. Representative at 200th anniversary of the French Revolution • Performed four times for President Bill Clinton during administration • Performed at Super Bowls

Legendary marching band that has set standards for bands everywhere

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• November 19, 2011 Robert Champion was found unresponsive on a bus chartered by the Marching 100 after “Crossing Bus C”

• Medical examiner declared Champion’s death a homicide

• Investigators charged 13 individuals with contributing to Champion’s death

26-year-old Drum Major at Florida A&M

Photo courtesy of: latimes.com

In the beginning.. – FAMU immediately suspended 4 students suspected to be involved in the hazing that lead to Champion’s death

– Fired Julian White, Chair of the Music Department and Director of the Marching 100

– Suspended all further Marching 100 activities – Suspended all recruitment of student organizations for Spring 2012 – Hired independent committee of experts to help school board with ending the hazing epidemic

Photo courtesy of: rattlerwire.blogspot.com

Currently.. – FAMU has launched the website

stophazingatfamu.com to educate students

– Held forums and public discussions for students to discuss hazing

– Hiring Administrator to oversee anti-hazing programs and a Music Department Compliance Officer to oversee department and band

– Enacting stricter requirements for future band students • Must be full-time students • Maintain certain GPA plus other

academic requirements • Maximum of 4 years as a band member

– Requiring all students to sign anti-hazing pledge in order to enroll for Spring 2013 semester

Photo courtesy of: theaustintimes.com

•Responded to lawsuit by Robert Champion’s parents by blaming Champion for his own death

– Believed as a 26-year-old adult Champion knew the consequences

•President James Ammons resigned despite stating that he would stay to see the hazing problem solved

•Hazing still continues to be a problem

– Dance Troupe suspended on suspension of hazing over Labor Day weekend

– Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity suspended due to allegations of hazing

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Most articles remained neutral toward FAMU – Questioned whether FAMU could get a handle on hazing

epidemic

– Recounted the struggles FAMU has faced with finances

– Reported on what the university has been trying to do since the incident

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• Protested outside Florida Governor Rick Scott’s house because of recommendation to suspend President Ammons

• Articles that have quoted students show many don’t believe the school is doing enough

• Twitter – Feel like recent events reveal the school is not making a difference

– See the quick judgment to suspend troupe and fraternity as university being overly picky

– View the efforts of the university (website, forums) as a joke and not a real solution

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• Hire outside crisis consultants to develop anti-hazing campaign

• Continue suspending organizations that violate code but not until proven – Halt all events, meetings but don’t suspend until there is sufficient proof for innocence or guilt

• Develop stricter anti-hazing policies for large organizations such as Greek organizations

Photo courtesy of: usnews.nbcnews.com

Photo courtesy of: westorlandonews.com