By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-997547.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The hazing death of a Florida A&M University band member has been ruled a homicide and law enforcement officials say charges are coming soon. Meanwhile, as Lynn Hatter reports, University alumni are pushing back against the governor's call for the president to step down, and a political fight over the future of FAMU is brewing.
What should have been a triumphant day for hundreds of FAMU students was overshadowed by the news that the death of one of the university band's drum majors, Robert Champion, has been ruled a homicide. Champion died as a result of blunt force trauma caused by hazing. And Students like T.J. Legacy Cole, a junior political science major, said the report confirmed their worst fears.
"I think today it really shed some light on the horrific reality of what hazing can do for it to come out on what's supposed to be a day of celebration for this information to come out today it's devastating."
Meanwhile, university President James Ammons presided over what may be his last graduation ceremony for FAMU. Following a meeting with Governor Rick Scott only hours before the commencement, Ammons said he's considering the governor's recommendation that he step down.
"The governor and I had a great conversation and we all have the university's best interest at heart, and we all want what's best for the university."
But Ammon's isn't the only one under fire. Governor Rick Scott has come under sharp criticism from FAMU alumni and others for recommending that the university's board of trustees immediately suspend the president. A letter written to the governor by the university accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, says if the board acts on the governor's advice, quote, "it will jeopardize the accreditation of the University as well as its ability to provide federal financial aid to their students."
By Sunday, members of the Florida A&M University alumni association were rallying, singing the school's alma mater and calling attention to the governor's actions. Alumni President Tommy Mitchell Senior, criticized the governor for calling for Ammons' suspension and the media for its coverage of the events surrounding the death of band drum major Robert Champion.
"Hazing has occurred all over the county. Deaths have occurred all over the country. Top universities. Why is it that this hazing has gotten so much attention? And it's even been implied that this is an HBCU problem. We plan to solve a problem that no one else seems to be able to handle."
As Governor, Scott has the authority to appoint some members to all 11 state university governing boards. And Scott says he continues to stand by his decision that Ammon's should be removed.
"That poor young man was murdered. I have the up most respect for him, but I think about the poor young lady who wound up in the hospital with the broken femur, I think about Robert Champion's family, we've got the case where the young boy was molested, and we have the expansion of financial irregularities by FDLE."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has announced the arrested a former FAMU DRS student for the molestation of another student at the university's research school.
The Department has also launched a secondary investigation into the band's finances. And three students have been charged with felony battery for a separate hazing incident resulting in the victim having a cracked femur and bruising.
Late Sunday Scott issued a statement saying he is disappointed in the direction the dialog regarding the hazing-murder of a Florida A&M University student has taken and will stand by whatever decision the university's board makes.
FAMU's trustees have scheduled a meeting on Monday to weigh the governor's recommendation that Ammons be suspended.