Raising the question: If, if and if, should the Marching 100 be disbanded?

[rave1914]

http://www.ajc.com/news/lawsuits-planned-in-famu-1241148.html

"They are going to have to treat this like a fraternity and sorority case," said Walter M. Kimbrough, president of Philander Smith College. "You shut down the band for several years."

That would be a major blow for the historically black university, known as much for its marching band as it is for its academics. But it is a needed one said Kimbrough, the author of "Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities," which examined the black Greek culture, including hazing.

[eagle pride]

I don't think that the band should be treated like the Greek Organizations because the band is part of the educational process.  The quilty students should be handled, but disbanding the big, I don't think so. 

[Pmist]

Given the seriousness of the situation suspension, yes, disbanding the whole thing, NO! That is overkill in my opinion and it ultimately prevents nothing. Hazing is not anything new and it will continue to happen on ALL campuses with orgs be they greek or band related. You do not need to use an atomic bomb to kill a fly.  

[Devin]

Considering a death occurred, and there had been a history of hazing gone too far within the March 100 in the past, I think nothing should be ruled out at this point.

[y04185]

If you bring the band back do it with brand new members.  2013 should be the earliest you bring the band back.

[Ramese98]

YES. Participating in ANY student organization is part of the educational process. Hazing is hazing and should be treated the same across the board. Sometime the consequences of your actions may be a little bit more than you can handle, so one needs to think more carefully. Evidently there are some MAJOR PROBLEMS that need to be fixed in the world of HBCU bands and unfortunatley FAMU's problems have resulted in a death of a student, a leader amongst his peers, he was a drum major an upper classmen at that and because of that there are some serious issues that arises. A former HBCU bandsmen myself, you know about the freshmen year as a "crab" or "gunkie" or any othe moniker that lable freshman as, but at the upperclassman/drum major level you would think all that would be behind the person. FAMU band has been out of control for awhile now and a lot has been sweep under the rug, due to the popularity of the 100. I know at one point they were banned from Marriott properties after the big stealing fiasco, then repeated reports of allegations of hazing, something has to be done to send a message and a mere suspension is not the answer.

[Neymar]

I don't think that the band should be treated like the Greek Organizations because the band is part of the educational process.  The quilty students should be handled, but disbanding the big, I don't think so. 

Not the marching band.

Keep the symphonic band after 2 years, but the marching band should be gone for at the very least a decade.

[EPJr]

That would be a major blow for the historically black university, known as much for its marching band as it is for its academics.

banning it for a number of years will put some perspective back in the process to show the band program that it is not above the school and its rules. it would survive five years w/o a band.

[EagleTwin]

I think 2-3 years would be good

[Pmist]

One (my personal choice)  maybe two but anything more in my opinion is overkill.  The CONCEPT of giving a long sentence and thinking its going to prevent something is nice IN THEORY but in practice I honestly do not think it will solve the issue of hazing.  (AGAIN I AM SPEAKING OF HAZING IN THE GENERAL SENSE).  A decade is WAY OVERKILL   

[DRUMMA1]

One (my personal choice)  maybe two but anything more in my opinion is overkill.  The CONCEPT of giving a long sentence and thinking its going to prevent something is nice IN THEORY but in practice I honestly do not think it will solve the issue of hazing.  (AGAIN I AM SPEAKING OF HAZING IN THE GENERAL SENSE).  A decade is WAY OVERKILL   

For delinquent chapters, no its not overkill.  The Delta Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at Jackson State stayed in trouble, just like FAMU's marching band, so the national headquarters suspended them for 10 years back in 2001-2002.  The chapter is now back, healthy, and very productive.  That 10-year suspension allowed everyone who had recently pledged that chapter to graduate, leave Jackson, and move on with their lives.

The same thing needs to be done with FAMU's Marching 100.  An 8-10 year suspension will allow everyone who was associated with that program enough time to graduate and move on with their lives.  It would also be justified being that the university had to pay $1.8 Million in a lawsuit in 2004, $50,000 a few years later in another lawsuit, and receiving embarrassing press from the band stealing thousands of dollars worth of hotel items in Detroit, subsequently having the Marching 100 BANNED from their hotel.  They are repeat offenders and should be dealt with accordingly.

[Aggie D.]

Absolutely!  With the recent history of hazing incidents that have gone public and now the death of a student I do not know how anyone can justify the 100 not being disbanded.  There are other music programs that students can choose to be a part but the marching band program at FAMU has to be suspended for a period of time.  The program should be suspended long enough to allow any current students in the band to have graduated and / or move on.  So four, five, six years I don't know but I would not restart the problem again with any of the current students or leaders.  And yes, this is very unfair to the current students that had nothing to do with the incident and the ones looking to be a part of the 100 in the upcoming years.

The same thing happened with the Alphas and Omegas at T when I was in school.  A number of my closest friends and I were looking forward to pledging the organizations while in college but hazing incidents and fraternity member's conduct got both chapters suspended.  Once the last member graduated both chapters were allowed to start their MIP again.  The Alphas went four years without a line and the Omegas went six.  Both chapters have been on point since.  Unfortunately for my friends and me this all happened as we were entering college and we missed out on an opportunity that we were so looking forward to experiencing during our undergraduate years.  However, life goes on and the important thing is that both chapters are now in a health place and their legacy has been able to continue.           

[y04185]

Do you allow members of the Marching 100 to transfer to other schools and join their marching band?

[Bison 4 Life]

Stop drinking the kool-aid. The band is in FAMU's DNA. Disband the band and donations may dry up to the schools general fund.

[DRUMMA1]

Stop drinking the kool-aid. The band is in FAMU's DNA. Disband the band and donations may dry up to the schools general fund.

Oh, well.  That sounds like a personal problem.  Someone was killed.  His life should not be in vain.