Florida A&M University (FAMU), its image stung by the death of a school marching band drum major involved in a band hazing incident, is planning to impose significant new rules governing hazing issues across the campus as well as the participation and conduct in its world-famous music ensemble.
In a plan released Monday afternoon on behalf of FAMU President James Ammons, the university would also create a major new oversight team specifically responsible for addressing hazing activities throughout the university. The new team, which would include a FAMU Anti-Hazing Special Assistant to the president, would play a key role in helping restore the institution’s tarnished image.
The proposals are to be presented this week to the university’s board of trustees during their annual retreat at the university. The future of the university band and the status of anti-hazing activities are the centerpiece of the retreat agenda. University budgetary items are also to be discussed.
In addition to the creation of the special assistant to the president post, President Ammons proposes establishment of a FAMU compliance officer for the university’s department of music. That person would function much like an NCAA compliance officer, ensuring that all musicians seeking to participate in the university band are enrolled in the school and meet all band eligibility requirements established by the band.
In the aftermath of the student drum major’s death, the university determined last month that more than 100 of the 400 plus members of the marching band were not officially enrolled in the institution last fall when the incident occurred.
The Ammons plan envisions reorganizing the staff of the university’s Office of Judicial Affairs to improve handling of hazing issues, the university said. It would also utilize social media, including a FAMU Anti-Hazing website and Facebook, to “enhance education efforts and reporting” of alleged offenses.
Ammons’ proposals, including a sweeping restructuring of university band rules, appear to constitute the most far reaching by any university president in the nation. If approved by the trustees, the new rules could have a ripple effect across the higher education landscape, particularly with respect to university bands, as many universities wrestle with hazing, an issue that has haunted higher education for decades.
