Gov. Rick Scott asks FAMU to suspend president amid hazing investigation
by Dara Kam | December 15th, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott is asking the Florida A & M University board of trustees to suspend the historically black college’s president James Ammons at its Monday meeting.
The request comes after Scott, who returned from a trip to Israel today, was briefed by his aides on the latest investigations into the death of FAMU Marching “100″ band drum major Robert Champion, according to a press release issued by Scott’s office. Scott spoke with FAMU board of trustees chairman Solomon Badger, asking him to suspend Ammons.
“Governor Scott has strongly recommended to Chairman Badger that at the meeting, the Board of Trustees place FAMU President James Ammons on suspension, effective immediately, until the investigations at the University are completed. Governor Scott has also placed a call to FAMU President Ammons to personally notify him of these discussions,” the release reads.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, tapped by Scott to investigate Champion’s death and the FAMU administration’s knowledge of hazing practices at the campus, this week announced it was opening a separate criminal investigation into possible fraud or misconduct by university employees.
The trustees voted last week to publicly reprimand Ammons instead of suspending him.
Champion’s death has cast an unwanted spotlight on hazing practices at the university and elsewhere.
The Tallahassee police this week charged three Marching “100″ band members with battery and hazing for allegedly beating fellow band member Bria Shante Hunter.
The DeKalb County school system in Georgia on Wednesday suspended its high school marching band activities. Champion, Hunter and two of the three men arrested and charged with her hazing, all attended high school in the county.
Tags: FAMU, hazing, James Ammons, Marching 100, Rick Scott, Robert Champion
December 16th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Hazing in this band has been happening for decades, I’m a witness and a victim to hazing. I know first hand and the administration including band staff, section leaders have all supported it. I don’t every recall the band directors or staff disciplining section leaders for hazing. The band directors choose the section leaders — and the directors themselves have all completed the rites of passage as well — they know first hand what happens in their ranks and are sworn to secrecy. Yes terminate the president who is ultimately responsible for the saftey of all students. (This is direct harassment and bullying and possible civil rights issue). School administration should be held accountable just as if it were a death in a school district or something that occurred at a corporation – the CEO should be help responsible – totally liable for the actions of his staff and faculty. Put at stop to the uncivilized activity that has cast a shadow over the world’s most popular marching band.