Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and sent words of encouragement this week. You raised nearly $495,000 (and our spirits)! Our funding challenges are far from over, but your generosity gives us room to maneuver as we navigate the new public media landscape. Supporters like you are why public radio works. Thank you!
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information

Florida A&M Lifts Suspension Of 'Marching 100' Band

Members of the Marching 100, Florida A&M University's marching band, perform before the Super Bowl in Feb. 2010.
Win McNamee
/
Getty Images
Members of the Marching 100, Florida A&M University's marching band, perform before the Super Bowl in Feb. 2010.

Florida A&M's interim president announced Thursday that he was lifting the suspension of the school's famed "Marching 100" band.

The band had been suspended since November 2011, following the hazing-related death of one of its drum majors.

In a statement, interim President Larry Robinson said the re-institution of the band comes after "sweeping changes" that address hazing.

"When considering all of the measures we have put in place, I believe this constitutes us having the right conditions," Robinson said. "Our newly appointed Director of Marching and Pep Bands, Dr. Sylvester Young, will decide when the band is ready for public performances."

USA Today reports:

"Robinson has been working closely with university staff to address the culture of hazing on campus, creating two new positions devoted to fighting the practice, a compliance officer in the music department and a special anti-hazing assistant who reports directly to the president. The university also started an anti-hazing website where hazing can be reported anonymously, leading to the suspension of campus organizations.

"In addition, FAMU administrators required every student to sign an anti-hazing pledge in order to enroll, and every student organization was required to go through a new intake process focused on anti-hazing practices in order to be recognized by the university. Anti-hazing town halls and forums were held. There are still plans for a panel of national hazing experts to meet on FAMU's campus."

The newspaper adds, however, that there were 20 allegations of hazing involving student organizations in the 2012-13 school year.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Eyder Peralta
Eyder Peralta is NPR's East Africa correspondent based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information