College band in NC suspended for hazing

[hoosier]

JCSU suspends entire band over alleged hazing incident
10/2/02 8:18 PM
By: Katrina Wright, News14.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Campus officials are investigating an alleged hazing incident at Johnson C. Smith University that involves the school band.

On Monday JCSU administrators put the entire band on suspension. The school is known for its award-winning band and those on campus say its members are good students.

"They're decent students, they have to be, and keep a certain gpa and image to be part of any organization on campus," said Tanaya Partee.

"We were practicing and a couple people came in and shut it down and said you can't practice until further notice and took a couple people out and questioned them," said Lishonda Jones.

Some band members, like Jones say they have never been involved in hazing but were questioned in the investigation.

"They're suspecting hazing. They weren't saying we're hazing, but it was heard, so that's why they questioned us," said Jones.

"I have heard the dean speak on that there is zero tolerance level here on campus," said Partee.

JCSU officials declined an on-camera interview, but issued the following statement, "Officials at Johnson C. Smith University have been made aware of an alleged violation of the Standards of Student Conduct by members of the JCSU Marching Band. The university is currently conducting an internal investigation. All band activities have been suspended pending the outcome of that investigation. No other information is available at this time."

Students hope the investigation will be swift and say an entire group is being punished for what may or may not be a breach of student conduct.

"They're a part of school and it's not fair they suspend them for something that may be petty or just out of hearsay," said Partee.

With homecoming quickly approaching band members say this is the worst time to suspend the entire group.

"We just want them to get it together because we want to do homecoming," said Jones.

School officials say it could take anywhere from a couple of days to weeks to find out what really happened regarding the alleged hazing activities.