Florida A&M Announces Suspension of Marching 100 Through 2012-13 Academic Year
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Headlines
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Florida A&M University President James Ammons today announced the continued suspension of the FAMU Marching 100 through the 2012-13 academic year. The recommendation was made during a briefing this morning by Dr. Ammons to the university’s board of trustees.
“There is a limited timeframe between now and the fall in which in recommendations for the restructuring of the band can be adopted,” Dr. Ammons said. ”My goal is to implement to the best conditions by which we can create the best environment for teaching and learning and ensure the safety of all of our students.”
Dr. Ammons said that school executives met last week with faculty senate, the FAMU National Alumni Association, Rattler Boosters Board of Directors, FAMU Student Government Association and received input from the Florida Board of Governors, FAMU Board of Trustees, and other state leaders. These groups, according to Dr. Ammons, commonly advocated for new academic standards for band participation, new standards for length of time of participation and practice time, and new rules for adults accompanying the band on out of town trips.
The university is in negotiations with organizers of the Florida Classic and Atlanta Classic to resolve potential contractual obligations involving the Marching 100. A plan will be presented for the reinstatement of the band, strategy for music department, and intake guidelines for the band and all student campus organizations during the board’s retreat meetings in June.
All of the bands that include members of the Marching 100 will not perform, in accordance with the current suspension of the band, Dr. Ammons said. The Marching 100 has been suspended since the November hazing death of drum major Robert Champion following the Florida Classic football game in Orlando.[/mpoverlay]
