“When considering all of the measures we have put in place,
I believe this constitutes us having the right conditions,” said
Robinson. “Our newly appointed Director of Marching and Pep Bands, Dr.
Sylvester Young, will decide when the band is ready for public performances.”
Robinson went on to list the new policies FAMU has
implemented as part of its new comprehensive anti-hazing plan. The university
has:
• Revised the Student Code of Conduct procedures;
• Implemented enhanced procedures for reporting and
investigating hazing allegations;
• Launched a new anti-hazing website, StopHazingFAMU.com;
• Awarded funding to FAMU faculty and students for research
on hazing prevention;
• Created two unique positions to provide a comprehensive
approach to implement the anti-hazing initiatives. One is a special assistant to
the President for anti-hazing. The other is a music compliance officer who will make sure
that all the students in the music ensembles, including the band, meet all standards to be
eligible to perform.
• Scheduled campus training and forums and anti-hazing
sessions.
• Enhanced the membership intake process for clubs and
organizations;
• Revised the organizational structure of the Department of
Music and hired a new Director of Marching and Pep Bands.
“As a result of these actions, it helped us respond more
swiftly and decisively to deal with allegations of hazing in any university
groups, emphasizing our zero tolerance approach to hazing,” said Robinson.
During May of this year, the university launched an anti-hazing
tour conceived by FAMU students that featured Music Department ensembles.
It reached out to students in three counties in South Florida.
Young said he is continuing his assessment of the band. Since his appointment
in May, Young has been communicating with the university in scheduled
sessions regarding the right conditions needed for the return of the Marching
“100.” He officially reported to work June 14.
“We are looking at the faculty who will be involved in the
band under the new structure, the maximum and minimum sizes of musical units
needed for standard of excellence we’ve grown accustom to. We are also
assessing equipment, uniforms, pre-drill activities and other related processes
to determine our readiness,” said Young. “As soon as the assessment is
completed, we will announce when the first public performance is scheduled.”
Young said that he is honored to be back at FAMU and is
excited about preparing the band for its first performance.