Florida A&M University has placed two professors involved in a 2010 hazing incident on administrative leave. Lynn Hatter reports according to a Tallahassee Police Department Incident Report, pledges of a fraternity associated with the school’s marching band were slapped on their backs and necks at an event held off-campus at the home of one of the faculty members.
In a written statement, FAMU president James Ammons calls the report “disturbing.” And says the university is just now learning about the case. The school has placed associate professors of music Diron Holloway and Anthony Simons on administrative leave with pay, as the school conducts a review. Ammons says the university will take the appropriate action, up-to firing them. According to Tallahassee Police Department spokesman David Northway, the case is now closed, but could be reopened if additional witnesses come forward.
“ In this case there will be no charges brought against anyone unless there is someone new in the case that steps forward and gives us new information.”
The incident report lists several interviews with current members of FAMU’s Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity who testified they were present at the time the alleged hazing took place. However, each interviewee told a different story or could not clearly remember what events took place. The case was initially reported to the FAMU Police Department. TPD learned about it through the media in January. Spokesman David Northway says no charges are being filed against the suspects because the statute of limitations has expired.
