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It has been more than four months since the Hazing death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion. Governor Rick Scott has said the school must deal with its hazing reputation if it is to survive. There is some indication the FAMU brand has been tarnished by repeated events.

FAMU students will now be required to report hazing within 24 hours under a policy adopted by the University’s Board of Trustees. The policy is in response to the 18 month delay in reporting the involvement of two band professors.The delay prevented charges from being filed. but the faculty remain on suspension.Trustee Chairman Solomon Badger says hazing has got to stop.

“FAMU needs to get it under control, and the other schools need to get it under control” says Badger.

The university is seeing fewer applicants for some programs. It is uncertain if the drop is related to the death of drum major Robert Champion and the subsequent suspension of the band. Administrators say that requiring higher test scores or gpa could be one reason for fewer admissions, and they say they really won;t know if the Champion case had an effect until May or June.

Freshman Dominique Moody remains proud of her school, but acknowledges she is getting a lot of pressure from her parents. “They want me, actually, to leave, but I actually want to stay her for myself, because the experience I get here, I can’t get anywhere else” says the Miami freshman.

Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds the future of the suspended FAMU marching 100. President James Ammons has yet to decide if the band will return this fall. “We have several pieces of information that we need before we make a decision on that.”

The investigation into drum major Robert Champions death is now in the hands of prosecutors. Once the investigation is complete, Ammons believes he will have what he needs to make a decision on the bands future.