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FAMU & the 2011 Death of Robert Champion

FAMU & the 2011 Death of Robert Champion. Ima Student PR Research & Strategies, Florida A&M University March 27, 2012. (http ://www.urbannewsroom.com/2012/01/10/motive-in-drum-major-hazing-death-did-band-target-him-because-he-was-gay /). The Event: Nov. 19, 2011.

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FAMU & the 2011 Death of Robert Champion

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  1. FAMU & the 2011 Death of Robert Champion Ima Student PR Research & Strategies, Florida A&M University March 27, 2012 (http://www.urbannewsroom.com/2012/01/10/motive-in-drum-major-hazing-death-did-band-target-him-because-he-was-gay/)

  2. The Event: Nov. 19, 2011 • Marching 100 drum major Robert Champion dies while returning from the Florida Citrus Bowl. • Initial news report: Champion complained he couldn’t breathe; “no foul play suspectedat this time.” • Rumors begin to spread: Could hazing be the cause? • No forensic answer for 10-12 weeks (http://abcnews.go.com/US/drum-major-joyful-photo-hours-hazing-dath/story?id=15040387#.T1uxZfUeLVo)

  3. Backstory • Champion dropped his mace on the field during halftime. • He was gay and an outspoken opponent of hazing. • He was scheduled to become head drum major in 2012-2013. • On the ride home, he winds up “crossing Bus C,” getting beaten by fellow band members. • 911 call (http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/Florida-A&M-University-dismisses-4-students-amid-suspected-hazing-related-death-of-Robert-Champion)

  4. Media Highlights • Nov. 22: President Ammons suspends Marching 100. • Nov. 23: Ammons suspends 4 students and “fires” band director Dr. Julian White. Gov. Rick Scott asks FDLE to get involved. • By Nov. 25: Story picked up by CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox, NYT, Tom Joyner, etc. • Nov. 28: Dr. White holds press conference. Champion family announces plans to sue FAMU. (http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2011/11/florida_am_hazings_persisted_d.html) (http://www.thirdage.com/news-photo/julian-white-former-famu-band-director/75336)

  5. The Story Continues • Nov. 30: Champion’s funeral receives wide media coverage. • Dec. 6: FAMU campus leaders sign anti-hazing pledge. • Dec. 8: FAMU BOT reprimands Ammons; doesn’t fire him. • Dec. 16: FAMU students picket Gov. Scott’s residence. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/famu-hazing-scandal-university-dismisses-four-students-connected-to-death/2011/12/01/gIQA5MTvHO_blog.html) (http://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html)

  6. The Story Continues • Dec. 17: Coroner rules Champion’s death a homicide • BriaHunter suffers broken leg, bruising after being hazed in off-campus incident; three arrested in December. • December 2011: FAMU expels then reinstates four students suspected in Champion’s death. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-12-13/news/os-famu-hazing-arrests-bria-hunter-20111212_1_band-director-julian-white-hazing-death-famu)

  7. The Story Continues • January 2012: • Champion family says son’s death is “not a hate crime; it’s a hazing crime.” • Kappa Kappa Psi members accused of spring 2011 hazing incident • Four students charged with hazing five pledges trying to join the Clones clarinet group. • February 2012: • Ammons suspends band camp and student organization intake until fall 2012. • Ammons forms special anti-hazing committee, urges faculty and students to do research on how to promote “campus safety.” (http://abcnews.go.com/US/famu-drum-majors-death-hate-crime-family/story?id=15330434#.T1u4ZPUeLVo)

  8. PR Lessons Learned • What worked well • Fjsl; • Fdkl; • Fjdkl;s • What did not work well • Fjdkl;s • Fdjksl’; • Fjdkl; (http://www.urbannewsroom.com/tag/robert-champion/)

  9. Lessons for FAMU • Do this … • Do this … • Do this … • Don’t do this … • Don’t do this … • Don’t do this … (http://www.urbannewsroom.com/tag/robert-champion/)

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