'The truth needs no defense, and blind ignorance needs no facts' --
The Famuan Student Newspaper, FAMU.
Anycampus, United States -- In the cult classic, "Animal House," the 1978 iconic coming of age film, young men and women seek acceptance among their peers by doing just about anything to join a select group of inner circle members.
More than three decades later, the issue of hazing on college campuses is hardly new, however with the recent death of a Florida A & M University band member, the ritual has once again taken center stage.
The University has formed an independent task force to examine the sudden death of Robert Champion, a member of the famous A & M Marching Band. According to NewsOne, the panel is trying to “determine if there are patterns of inappropriate behavior within the culture of the band,” said A & M President James Ammons, amid rumors of hazing as a possible factor in Champion’s death.
College students seeking membership into elite fraternities and sororities, or in Champion's case, competitive marching bands, sometimes face rigorous physical work-outs and grueling mental accuity tests that can sometimes challenge their moral and ethical standing. Peer pressure to gain acceptance ...
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A Day in the Life - A Drum Major
FAMU band director re-hired, expelled students back in school
Florida A & M University officials have halted dismissal procedures against “Marching 100” band director Julian White and reinstated four students previously expelled for their connection with the death of band member Robert Champion.
Wednesday’s actions are the latest twist in the ongoing drama since Champion’s Nov. 19 death, which detectives say may have been caused by hazing.
Two weeks ago, FAMU president James Ammons put White on administrative leave with pay and said he intended to fire him. Last week, Ammons told the state university Board of Governors that four students were expelled in relation to Champion’s death.
On Wednesday, university officials said the students have returned to classes because state police ordered that no disciplinary action be taken until criminal investigations are completed. And a university attorney said White will remain on administrative leave with pay but dismissal actions have been dropped.
“This continues to be a sad time for the entire FAMU community, but each day, I see that Robert Champion’s death was not in vain. A dialogue of healing has begun ...
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FAMU's Marching 100: Some local students still want to join
TAMPA, Florida - Despite the death of 26-year-old Florida A & M University student Robert Champion, there are many students from the Tampa Bay area who want to be a part of the world famous marching band.
The Marching 100 dates back to 1946. It started out with just 16 members, but currently has more than 400. The music and the bold moves band members perform on the field mesmerizes crowds. It's why so many schools across the country and in the Tampa Bay area continue to try to duplicate it, like at Tampa Bay Tech High School in Tampa.
Band director Ronal Russell, Jr. and his assistant, Kayraynard Lawrence, were both members of the Marching 100 and there's no question where many of their students want to attend college. Janae Morrow, a senior who's in Tampa Bay Tech's band, says she'll never forget the first time she saw the Marching 100 perform. "It was, like, incredible. I honestly couldn't breathe."
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READ RELATED:
www.stophazing.org,
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