FAMU Meets in Orlando on Suspected Hazing Death; FDLE Launches Investigation
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
By: Gina Jordan

Dec. 6, 2011 | WMFE - A newly-revised agenda for Florida A & M University's Board of Trustees meeting in Orlando Wednesday now includes an extended "anti-hazing" workshop. Hazing is suspected in the death of 26-year-old FAMU student Robert Champion, who collapsed on a bus in Orlando after performing with the university's famed Marching 100 band November 19th. Even with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announcing an investigation, officials say anti-hazing policies at Florida's universities don't seem to have put a dent in the practice.

[Image of FAMU Marching 100 courtesy of FAMU]

Governor Rick Scott has decided the state should be involved in the death investigation. “I think it’s very important that we do a thorough investigation,” says Scott, “and I think it’s also important that we review our hazing policies and make sure that – you know, if you think about it, when things like this happen, you’ve got to make sure in your organization, our universities in this case, that people feel comfortable coming forward.”

Florida law defines "hazing" as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student. Hazing charges range from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.

Tiffany Martin, a junior at FAMU, says she started hearing the hazing rumor almost immediately after Robert Champion’s death. Since then, four students have been expelled and all of the university’s music groups have been suspended.

“It’s kind of like divided, you know,” says Martin. “There’s some people saying that justice needs to be served, and then there’s others kind of like, he knew what he was doing.”

Shawn Bayern, assistant professor at the Florida State University College of Law, says even if Champion willingly participated in hazing, it doesn’t mean others don’t bear some responsibility for the tragic outcome. “I’d encourage people to move away from the notion that just because somebody’s an adult or just because they have some responsibility for their actions, doesn’t mean that other people [haven’t] done something wrong in a way that hurt them directly.”

An attorney representing Champion’s family has announced a lawsuit against the school. He said there is evidence that hazing contributed to the death, and it happened on FAMU's watch.

Governor Scott has asked university system Chancellor Frank Brogan to request that all university presidents reevaluate their hazing policies and procedures.

But FAMU student Tiffany Martin doesn’t think the Champion case will change behaviors or hurt any groups on campus. “I definitely think that it’s still going to be, you know, people are still going to join, they’re still going to want to do it,” she says.

A study by the National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention found that more than half of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations have experienced hazing. The research suggests they would do it again.