FAMU Moves To Settle Robert Champion Hazing Lawsuit

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University wants to try to settle a family’s lawsuit against the school over the hazing death of a band member.

FAMU trustees on Thursday voted to instruct attorneys representing the university to enter a voluntary mediation session with attorneys for the parents of Robert Champion.

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Champion died last November after Marching 100 members allegedly beat him during a hazing ritual.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts in the hazing of Champion. They have pleaded not guilty.

The Champions, who live in the Atlanta suburb of Decatur, Ga., in their lawsuit claim university officials did not take action to stop hazing even though a school dean proposed suspending the band because of hazing three days before their son died.

School officials also allowed nonstudents to play in the band, fell short in enforcing anti-hazing policies and did not keep a close eye on band members to prevent hazing, the lawsuit said.