Legal woes ahead
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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VOL. 114 ISSUE 17
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Special to The Famuan Julian White, former director of bands at Florida A&M, and the Champion family [Robert Champion Sr. pictured above], have filed suit against the university. White wants his job back, while the Champions want to raise awareness about hazing practices.
Jason Lawrence Managing Editor Lawsuits surrounding the hazing-related death of Robert Champion, a drum major for Florida A&M’s Marching “100,” have been filed by the band’s recently terminated director Julian White, as well as the family of the victim. Both the Champion Family and White
appeared before media on Monday with their attorneys present announcing plans to file suit against the university. The Champion Family appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday with their attorney, Christopher Chestnut. He said the university has been covering up a “pervasive culture of hazing” for decades. “We want to eradicate a culture of hazing so this doesn’t happen again,” said Chestnut.
“Hazing is a culture of, ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell.’ The family’s message today is: ‘Please tell.’” “If you’ve got something like this going on and on and on, eventually something is bound to happen,” said Pam Champion, the victim’s mother. “If it wasn’t my son, it probably would have
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Policy has dire consquences for hazing Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez Deputy News Editor Hazing was deemed illegal by the state of Florida and Florida A&M in 2005, yet in 2011, students and administrators could face legal action due to the issue. The Florida A&M University Regulations Anti-Hazing Policy defines hazing as “pressuring or coercing the
student into violating state or federal law, any brutality of a physical nature [...], or other forced physical activities that would adversely affect the health or safety of the student and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress.” The university has also established punishments for students who violate the Anti-Hazing Policies. In subsection
Valerie Hendrix, vice president, Senior Community Development Officer at Wells Fargo presented a $10,000 commemorative check to FAMU’s College of Law Dean LeRoy Pernell. The funds will be used to host a mortgage foreclosure workshop through the FAMU Legal Clinic under the direction of Associate Professor Ann Marie Cavazos.
With low temperatures predicted to drop below 35 degrees for three or more hours for Nov. 29-30, a team of human service agencies, local government entities and the faith-based community organizations will once again offer a cold night shelter. Any adult male who needs temporary shelter from the cold weather should report to The Shelter at 480 W. Tennessee St.
CLEVELAND (AP) - The case of an 8-year-old thirdgrader weighing more than 200 pounds has renewed the debate on whether parents should lose custody if a child is severely obese. Roughly 2 million U.S. children are extremely obese, weighing significantly more than what’s considered healthy.
Lifestyles pg.6 Students are encouraged to support World AIDS Day tomorrow. Florida A&M Student Health Services will host a candlelight vigil at the Eternal Flame from 56:30 p.m., and will offer free HIV rapid tests, provided by the Leon County Health Department.
Sports pg.8 The men’s track team is gearing up for its season after performing above expectations during the cross country season. Coach Wayne Angel and his team have been placing emphasis on making a run at the MEAC crown this season.
three of the Anti-Hazing Policies, any student, student group or student organization associated with FAMU that is responsible for hazing could face fines. The university can also withhold academic records until the fines are paid, or pending compliance with the Student Code of Conduct. Among other consequences, the policy calls for the “probation, suspension,
dismissal or expulsion of said person(s) or organization(s), and/or recession of permission for the University sanctioned organization(s) to operate on the Florida A&M University campus or to otherwise operate under the sanction of the University.”
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Hazing complaints not new for White Marie Eustache Staff Writer Law enforcement investigations surrounding claims of hazing in Florida A&M’s Marching “100” did not just happen after the death of Robert Champion. Before his death, at least 26 other band members were suspended during the football season. Bria Hunter, a first-year graphic communication student from Atlanta, was taken to the emergency room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital after she was allegedly beaten by band members. Hunter then filed a report with the Tallahassee Police Department. The 18-year-old reportedly suffered minor abrasions and bruises.
She provided police with a sworn statement and will be pressing charges against her assailants, according to the Tallahassee Police Department. If found to have been involved in Hunter’s alleged beating, the named suspects would also face battery charges under Florida Statute 784.03(1A1), in addition to hazing charges. Because Hunter’s report is still being investigated, the names of the students she identified in the incident cannot be revealed. But three band members were suspended in connection to Hunter’s hazing on Nov. 8. Former Director of Bands Julian White also alerted FAMUPD of possible hazing in the trombone
and clarinet section. He issued suspension letters to 22 trombone players for alleged hazing in the sections. On Nov. 10, White issued suspension letters to seven clarinet players after he “was informed that initiation rituals, which included paddling had occurred for the band sub-group ‘Clones,’ a subgroup consisting of some clarinet players,” according to the letter. The result of the investigation is pending. The ongoing investigation explains why spectators at the Nov. 19 Florida Classic football game saw a much smaller version of the band.
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Judge refuses to halt barrel racing challenge
BILL KACZOR Associated Press
A judge on Tuesday refused to halt an administrative challenge to a new form of betting — quarter horse barrel racing — in a complex case that could affect efforts to expand gaming in Florida. It was a preliminary round victory for two groups representing quarter horse owners, breeders and trainers. They contend barrel racing is a cheap way for tracks to bypass state racing regulations to get approval for more lucrative card rooms and possibly slot machines. The issue, though, is far from settled. The Florida Quarter Horse Racing
Association and Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association, whose members engage in traditional racing around a track, are contesting the state’s decision to allow wagering on barrel racing in Gretna, a small town east of Tallahassee. Gretna Racing is expected to begin operating Thursday. The Florida Quarter Horse Track Association, whose members include Gretna Racing, asked Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll to block the administrative challenge until he has a chance to rule on the constitutionality of the state’s quarter horse racing laws. Carroll denied that motion after a brief hearing. “I do not know at this point, but
I’m going to deny the motion at this time and not interfere with the administrative law judge,” Caroll said. Harold Purnell, a lawyer for the horsemen’s groups, argued that Carroll’s ultimate decision may be a moot issue if the administrative law judge, Cathy Sellers, allows his clients to amend their complaint. The amended complaint would get around that potential disqualification by arguing the association also has a right to challenge the permit because barrel racing would have a negative effect on its members as it requires fewer horses and riders.
Bill Kaczor Associated Press