Welcome to

Trustees at Florida A&M University today ordered their lawyers to negotiate with the family of a drum major who died after being hazed last November. The move comes one day after the lawyer for Robert Champion’s family told reporter Mike Vasilinda the University was delaying the case. Now, as Mike tells us, Trustees say they want to know  what the family wants.

Florida A&M Marching 100 Drum Major Robert Champion died last November 19th after being punched, hit, and kicked on a band bus. 11 People have been charged with Felony Hazing. The Champion family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last month. As of Wednesday, their attorney had heard nothing from the University.

“We will continue to litigate the case and fight not only to preserve Robert Champion’s legacy, but also to insure that this doesn’t happen again,” Champion Family attorney Chris Chestnut said.

But meeting behind closed doors from an hour on Thursday, FAMU trustees voted to enter mediation with the Champion family. Trustee Charles Langston made the motion.

“No parameters, no discussion of money. It is just authorizing them to go to the mediation,” Trustee Langston said.

The outside attorney handling the lawsuit had nothing to say.

Trustee Chairman Solomon Badger was equally mum.

“I’m not going to make any kind of comments in either direction,” Trustee Chairman Badger said.

Trustees are eager to point out that the decision to mediate isn’t an admission of liability. They say they just want to know what cards everyone is holding.

President Larry Robinson was unsure of how soon talks would begin.

Reporter: When do you think you’ll have your first meeting?

“I’m not really sure, not really sure,” Dr. Robinson said. “They could be meeting now. They could be meeting now.”

The move to mediate is a step forward. But the case could be a long way from being resolved.