1. Hazing Leads to Student’s Death
Maegan Dunn
Photo courtesy of: famu.edu
2. • 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
3. • 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
Photo courtesy of: savvysista.com
4. • 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. • 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
Photo courtesy of: bet.com
8. 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
Photo courtesy of: bet.com
9. • 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
Photo courtesy of: jacksonville.com
10. • 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
