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.
• 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.
