Florida A&M University has named a new hazing czar as part of continuing efforts to tamp down hazing in student organizations.
FAMU's hazing czar will report directly to the university president and work with student groups and organizations on hazing issues on campus. University President Larry Robinson says the job is aimed at helping the university coordinate its anti-hazing efforts and track complaints.
“We can look at trends and tendencies to allow us to better understand the things on this campus that we can do to prevent hazing, beyond what we’re doing now. A better understanding of the culture," Robinson said.
The university chose Bryan Smith, co-founder of an after-school and student mentoring curriculum business in Decatur, Georgia.
Smith received his juris doctorate from John Marshall Law School, a master’s degree in public management from FAMU and a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina A&T State University. He is registered as a certified mediator for the State of Georgia. He has been offered a salary of $90,000 and is scheduled to report to work on Feb. 1.
The job was created as part of FAMU’s response to the hazing death of a school band drum major. The university is still looking for a person to oversee the music programs.
