FAMU to Unveil New Anti-Hazing Website
ByIn the wake of reports of hazing, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University leaders will unveil a new anti-hazing website Friday.
The university has updated its anti-hazing policies since the death of a drum major, Robert Champion last November and had many town hall meetings to educate students about the problem, reports Detroit Free Press.
The move to launch the website comes within days of suspending university's dance team for indulging in an off-campus hazing incident. The prevalent hazing problem has spread from fraternities to the college band and now to the dancing team.
FAMU interim President announced the suspension Tuesday saying the university received an email from a parent about an alleged incident over the Labor Day weekend when a dance team member was forced to drink alcohol and run up the hills.
The dance team named Torque, had no faculty adviser since December and hence, was on inactive status. Now, the all-female team has been suspended indefinitely.
The hazing incident that brought the university to spotlight was the demise of Champion, who died as a result of a hazing incident. He was a member of the Marching 100, the nationally acclaimed band of FAMU which was named the 'Best Marching Band in the Nation' by Sports Illustrated in August 1992.
Among his alleged perpetrators, 12 people face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts. They have reportedly pleaded not guilty.
But, the incident though led to stricter policies and rules it seems to be not enough, as manifested in the dance team's hazing incident.
According to the university, now updated rules require every student club and organization to attend university meetings and workshops.
Every club, fraternity, group has to mandatorily submit a copy of its bylaws, including anti-hazing regulations, said Henry Kirby to Detroit Free Press, associate vice president for student life and dean of students.
"The vast majority of clubs, in my opinion, will comply," Kirby said to Free Press. "There will always be a few students who will try to test the university. If they do, they will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately."
Though much has changed in the university rulebook, Champion's death rolled a lot of heads. Long time band director of Matching 100 Julian White had to retire and university President James Ammons had to resign in July, thanks to the ire of the trustees. The university also barred new membership in all student clubs.
The hazing incidents are not restricted to FAMU alone. Many universities across the nation are plagued with the same problem. Recently, University of Arizona annulled three of its fraternities' recognition and University of Miami, Ohio too did the same with its local chapter of Phi Kappa Tau over similar hazing allegations.
So much for wishing to belong to a fraternity!