FAMU Trustees have picked experts to serve on their newly-formed blue-ribbon anti-hazing committee.

The board made the announcement Thursday.

FAMU President Dr. James Ammons announced during the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday that he's establishing an Anti-Hazing Research Initiative.

It's another action plan the university is taking in response to the hazing death of Drum Major Robert Champion.

FAMU student Troy Harris says, "We're making strides to change, it is a better thing. It sucks that it had to come at such a high cost. But, at the end of the day, all we can do is what we can do."

Dr. Ammons says the initiative will use $50,000 of funds already generated from grants.

He says it will allow faculty to research additional strategies to end hazing.

Dr. Ammons says, "This situation give us an opportunity now to do something that is going to be impactful, something that will guide policy on college and university campuses all across the country. But, to have that new knowledge emanate from Florida A&M University."

The new Anti-Hazing Committee is expected to work with the new initiative.

Trustees announced the appointees of that committee Thursday.

They chose seven people from across the country who are independent of FAMU.

The panelists' expertise range from law, hazing, education and music.

Trustee Belinda Shannon says, "This is just the first step in our journey towards eradicating hazing from FAMU. This panel of experts is going to give us the framework for some long and short-term recommendations. I'm very hopeful."

Trustees say the committee should have some ideas and strategies by the next board meeting in April.

Also during the board of trustees meeting, trustees with the Student Affairs Committee say they are drafting a campus-wide dress standard in an effort to promote student safety.

Trustees say this will not be a dress code, but, a dress standard.

Trustees say the intentions of the dress standard is not to stifle students' expressions, but, to promote a positive environment and encourage a culture of dressing for success.

Some students, like Tom Diamond, agree. He says, "This is an institution of higher learning, and we dress for what we're trying to become. Professional dress, it doesn't necessarily mean a suit and tie or business attire all the time; business casual or just casual wear. it just needs to be appropriate for professional development."

Trustee members also plan to put an anti-hazing agreement online, where students cannot register for classes without clicking "accept" or "deny."

The board is scheduled to vote on the dress standard and the online agreement in April.

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PRESS RELEASE (February 9, 2012)

FAMU PRESIDENT LAUNCHES RESEARCH INITIATIVE ON HAZING

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) President James H. Ammons has launched a $50,000 research initiative that would give faculty at FAMU the opportunity to study the nature and extent of hazing behaviors among campus organizations and groups.

“Hazing is one issue that many colleges and universities face; yet, it presents a serious challenge to uncover and address as a hidden culture, shrouded in secrecy,” said Ammons. “I want our faculty members to be leaders in finding solutions and creating a body of work as FAMU becomes a part of this national discussion on hazing.”

The announcement of the research project comes on the same day the FAMU Board of Trustees announced the appointment of the FAMU Anti Hazing Committee, an independent committee tasked with providing recommendations on determining the most effective and indelible approach to end hazing on campus. Both the Committee and grants are part of FAMU's overall efforts — both immediate and long-term — to eliminate hazing.

The “FAMU Anti-Hazing Research Initiative with a “Focus on Evidence-Based Measures” will offer small grants for faculty to conduct collaborative research across disciplines to study the nature and extent of hazing behaviors among campus organizations and groups.

This anti-hazing research initiative will serve as a mechanism to stimulate additional FAMU participation in research to help better understand hazing at FAMU and around the nation that will lead to the development of strategies to eradicate hazing from our midst. The specific focus areas of this initiative:

1. Promote interdisciplinary approaches to study the nature and extent of hazing behaviors among student organizations, unofficial sub-groups and off-campus entities;

2. Develop strategies that offer alternatives to hazing and promote respect and dignity;

3. Develop novel approaches to eliminating the fear of retribution and encourage unencumbered reporting when hazing incidents occur to include administrative structure, alignment and reporting; and

4. Identify effective education, training, communication, and awareness mechanisms for existing students, faculty, staff and alumni as well as new entrants into the university community.

“As academicians across this country engage in research in this area, we want to ensure that FAMU is represented in a very significant way among these scholars,” said Ammons. “We view this as seed money for faculty to be involved into the greater pool of resources available to address this issue.”

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – (February 9, 2012) –

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of the FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee, an independent committee tasked with providing recommendations on determining the most effective and indelible approach to end hazing on campus. This esteemed group includes a diverse mix of thought and policy leaders from across the country, with invaluable experience and expertise that is related to all aspects of hazing and its culture. The FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee will work in unison with the ongoing efforts of the FAMU community to address the issue of hazing.

The FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee facilitator and members, as follows, were selected based on input from the board, administration, faculty, students and alumni:

• Stephen Craig Robinson (Chairman) – Former U.S. District Court Judge and current partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom;

• Dr. Na’im Akbar – Clinical Psychologist and Former President, National Association of Black Psychologists;

• Dr. Elizabeth Allan – Professor, University of Maine and Co-Director, The National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention;

• Dr. Michael V. Bowie – Executive Director of Florida Fund for Minority Teachers & former national president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council;

• David Brewer – Former Vice Admiral of the United States Navy and Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District;

• Dr. Mary Madden – Professor, University of Maine & Co-Director, The National Collaborative for Hazing Research and Prevention;

• David Starnes – Band Director and Professor of Music at Western Carolina University.

“To put us in the best position to permanently stop hazing at FAMU, we feel it is important to bring in many of the most respected minds on the subject and ensure
that we are addressing this destructive issue from all sides,” said Solomon Badger, FAMU Board Chairman.

Trustee Belinda Shannon led the FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee initiative on the board’s behalf.

“We are extremely grateful that these distinguished individuals have chosen to work with FAMU to help us find solutions to a problem that has persisted for far too long, both at the college and even high school level.”

The committee will be asked to examine the following issues:

• Hazing at other universities and how has it been handled?
• Getting students to resist hazing; what has worked?
• How do we best govern the Marching “100” and its activities?

The committee’s work will result in findings and recommendations to be presented to the FAMU Board of Trustees for consideration and approval.

The FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee is part of the University’s comprehensive plan to end hazing at FAMU and was approved by the Board of Trustees during its January 2 session.

Following are biographies of the FAMU Anti-Hazing Committee members:

Dr. Na’im Akbar – Dr. Akbar, a Tallahassee native, is a clinical psychologist that is considered one of the world's preeminent psychologists and a pioneer in the development of an African-centered approach in modern psychology. He has served on the Boards of Directors of a variety of civic and professional organizations, including several terms on the Board of the National Association of Black Psychologists, the editorial board of the Journal of Black Studies, and for eight years was the associate editor of the Journal of Black Psychology. Akbar attended the University of Michigan to complete his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in psychology.

Elizabeth J. Allan – Allan is a professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine. She is the author of two books and co-editor of a policy text. Her award-winning scholarship focuses on campus climates and has been featured in premiere education journals including the Harvard Educational Review and The Journal of Higher Education. Allan's professional experience educating about hazing spans two decades and includes research, prevention, student affairs, and policy work. She was the principal investigator for the National Study of Student Hazing (2008) and has authored and co-authored numerous articles, essays, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries on the topic of hazing. Allan earned a Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership from The Ohio State University, an M.S. in health promotion and B.S. in psychology from Springfield College.

Michael V. Bowie – Bowie is the former national president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. from 2003 -2007. Currently, he serves as executive director of Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc. He is also director for recruitment, retention and multicultural affairs at the University of Florida and courtesy faculty for University of Florida. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University, a master’s degree at the Pennsylvania State University, and his Ph.D. at the University of Florida.

David Brewer – David Brewer is a retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy and former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, second largest school district in the U.S. The 35-year veteran of the Navy commanded Military Sealift Command, with its fleet of 120 ships, from August 2001 until his retirement in March 2006. Admiral Brewer also served as Vice Chief of the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) from 1999-2001. As Vice Chief of NETC, he led the development of the Navy College Program and the negotiations of contracts with 11 colleges, universities and community colleges to provide online bachelor and associate degree programs to more than 300,000 sailors.

Mary Madden – Madden is an experienced researcher and program evaluator whose work has focused on the development, health, well-being, and education of adolescents, including hazing. She has co-authored curriculum to support facilitation of girls' groups as well as developed and facilitated trainings for adults working with girls. Madden directed the National Study of Student Hazing and has co-authored articles on hazing and presented the research findings at numerous conferences. Madden is an associate research professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine where she teaches research courses.

Stephen Craig Robinson – Judge Robinson is a former United States federal judge who served on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2003 to 2010. He is currently a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Robinson was in private practice in New York City from 1984 to 1987 before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York in 1987. In 1991, he was managing director and associate general counsel for Kroll Associates before moving to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1993 where he was principal deputy general counsel and special assistant to the director. In 1998, he served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, where he served for three years.

David Starnes - Starnes joined the School of Music at Western Carolina University in the summer of 2011 as assistant professor/director of Athletic Bands. He directs the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band and the Symphonic Band as well as teaches music education courses to Undergraduate students. Prior to coming to Western Carolina, Starnes was the founding director of bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Ga., where he served for 11 years. Starnes is sought nationally and internationally as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor and creative designer. A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., Mr. Starnes graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee.

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Tallahassee, Florida - Feb. 8, 2012 - 10am

FAMU Board of Trustees Meeting:

- FAMU President Dr. James Ammons and the president of TCC just signed an partnership agreement to work together.

- Dr. Ammons updated board on the mandatory student safety forum. On January 31st, Ammons announced the temporary suspension on new member intake and initiations for all clubs and organizations and the cancellation of the summer band camp. Ammons told the board today that this does not mean that he is eliminating the curriculum in the music department. He says the school will continue to honor band and music scholarships.

The board announces the members who have been appointed to the FAMU Anti-hazing Committee.

Dr. Ammons announces the establishment of the FAMU Anti-Hazing Research Initiative. Grants will be awarded to get faculty, staff, and students involved to research how to better understand hazing. The initiative will come up with additional strategies to eradicate hazing.

Trustee Dr. Narayan Persuad expressed concerns about the blue-ribbon anti-hazing committee. When the board first announced back in December that it was forming the committee, Dr. Persuad said then that he was against it. He's concerned about its effectiveness.

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Tallahassee, Florida - Feb. 8, 2012 -

The FAMU Trustees are gearing up for a meeting of the full board tomorrow, February 9th, but first there will be committee meetings today. Tonight, FAMU president James Ammons will receive an informal evaluation by the board members.

The committee meetings will begin at 9am and will be going on throughout the day in the FAMU Student Union Grand Ballroom.

Those committees include the Budget and Finance Committee, the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Academic Affairs Committee, the Trustee-Student Affairs Committee and the Facilities Committee. Sharon Saunders in the university's Office of Public Affairs says these committee meetings are always scheduled for the day before a meeting of the full board. Members of these committees then decide which issues will go before the full board for a vote.Then, according to the agenda, Ammons' informal presidential review will take place during dinner at the Alumni House which begins at 5:30pm. Ammons will be evaluated on his performance from for the period of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.

Saunders says that the topic of hazing could possibly come up during Crisis Management committee meeting.

Eyewitness News will be covering the committee meetings, Ammons' review, and tomorrow's Board of Trustees meeting.