New documents in the case of a FAMU student hazed to death suggest school administrators were asked to suspend the band three days before the tragedy.
Notes taken by the Dean of Students claim FAMU’s Former Police Chief Calvin Ross asked administrators to suspend the band immediately because of recent hazing reports. His warning was ignored and on Nov. 19th, Robert Champion was hazed after a game in Orlando and died.
Ross retired in April.
FAMU’s President Dr. James Ammons answered the report with this written response that said:
"Prior to the Florida Classic weekend, the former provost, vice president for student affairs, former chief of police, dean of students and former department chair/band director met as a group and decided on the proper course of action in light of the recent band member suspensions, and the group's decision was for the chief of police, dean of students and band director to call together the entire band to underscore their written Anti-Hazing Agreements and the fact that hazing is against FAMU policies and a felony crime under Florida law. No one told me before the Florida Classic that they disagreed with the group's ultimate decision and course of action.”
Ammons went on to say the school is making a good faith effort to settle the matter with the Champion family, but a date for the settlement has not been reached.
He added that at the advice of his legal counsel he will not comment any further at this time.