Tallahassee, Florida - The Florida A&M Board of Trustees has decided to create an anti-hazing committee to study the problem of hazing on FAMU's campus, despite concerns that the school does not need another committee working on the issue.
On Monday, the board voted to create the "FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee" in response to the hazing-related death of band member Robert Champion in November.
It's the second committee created as a result of Champion's death. The first one, appointed by FAMU President James Ammons, won't start its work until a state criminal investigation is done.
The new committee would consist of five recognized experts on hazing. They will see how other universities have successfully handled hazing cases and develop solutions for FAMU. Their main mission is to figure out how to eliminate a culture of hazing at the school.
Some trustees objected to the creation of another independent committee. Torey Alston said the board should take the lead on the issue.
"I just don't believe that we should delegate this outside to another group. Personally I think we need a different approach. I support the concept but I just think the board should be fully engaged on this item."
Trustee Narayan Persaud echoed those sentiments.
"This plan is too simplistic and it doesn't address the culture of hazing on the campus and I agree with Trustee Alston that we don't need another committee."
But Trustee Richard Dent argued the new committee would not preclude the FAMU Board of Trustees from having an important role in creating ideas to prevent hazing.
He said committee members must be independent to have real credibility.
"In order for this group to have the credibility that it needs, it needs to be people who have not slight degrees of separation, or no degree of separation, but significant degrees of separation from the university."
Trustee Marjorie Turnbull said she liked the fact that the committee would study the best practices against hazing at other universities. She added FAMU is getting national attention on the problem of hazing so the school must make sure it has an independent first look at the issue.
"To have them bring back knowledge and the best recommendations based on their expertise I think would give us a way of saying to the state and the nation we have taken every step possible to solve this problem."
The idea for an anti-hazing committee comes from FAMU's public relations firm DKC, Inc., which was hired to help the school with marketing following Champion's death.
The PR firm's plan also suggests creating an on-campus memorial for Champion and establishing a scholarship in his name.
Dave Heller