Fans of Florida A&M University celebrated Thursday as Interim President Larry Robinson announced the return of the school's famed Marching 100 band, 19 months after drum major Robert Champion died following a hazing ritual.
The news was greeted with cheers on campus, though it was not immediately clear how soon the band will play again.
Surrounded by school officials charged with preventing hazing on campus, Robinson ticked off the steps FAMU has taken since Champion's death in November 2011: a comprehensive anti-hazing plan, a revised student conduct code, beefed-up reporting and investigation of hazing allegations, and the creation of two new jobs -- a special assistant to the president for anti-hazing initiatives and a music compliance officer.
"Part of changing behavior is ensuring that people understand -- those who might not quite get it -- that we're very serious about it," Robinson said. "When and if it rears its head, we will take the appropriate action."
FAMU trustee Marjorie Turnbull, a former state representative, said every possible step has been taken to ensure that hazing is driven from the campus.
"I feel very confident," she said. "The students that will be in the band have been engaged in this decision. I think -- I certainly hope -- they understand that if hazing occurs again, the band may be gone forever."
The task will take time. Last week, FAMU suspended two sororities over hazing allegations, Delta Sigma Theta for three years and Gamma Sigma Sigma for one year. Law enforcement agencies investigated, but no criminal charges were filed.
The FAMU band's suspension hit the university hard and drew national headlines. The band has long been a symbol of the university, playing in presidential inaugurations and at other major events across the country and overseas.
The previous FAMU president, James Ammons, and band director, Julian White, stepped down after Champion died and the depth of the band's hazing culture became public knowledge. Champion, who had opposed hazing, finally submitted to the ritual of "Crossing Bus C" -- a running of the gauntlet as band mates beat him -- in order to earn respect.
Champion's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit that remains pending. But Robinson, FAMU's former provost, and Sylvester Young, the new band director, say they are determined to root out the type of thinking that led to Champion's death.
Within the band itself, Young said, there is a revised administrative structure, while new manuals limit practice hours and how many semesters a student can belong to the band. FAMU increased its requirements for band scholarships last year.
Young, a FAMU graduate who came out of retirement after directing the band at Ohio University, reported to work June 14. He said his staff is working with students to instill the new expectations.
"I'm thinking in time the culture of the band will change, and hopefully when that changes, the band will be what it should be," Young said. "Because you know, this band is really important to this university, and to the state of Florida and the city of Tallahassee."
As to when the Marching 100 will once more play for fans at a FAMU football game, Young wouldn't speculate.
"We'll see. We'll see," he said. "We're moving in the right direction."
