DSU students will answer to hazing claims

Sixteen Delaware State University students will appear before the school’s judicial affairs panel for their alleged roles in hazing other marching band members. 
Allegations of hazing within DSU’s marching band surfaced last month, after which the school suspended all band performance activities while it conducted an investigation.
 
DSU spokesman Carlos Holmes says the investigation found evidence that “minor hazing activities” took place, but that they did not result in any injuries to any of the band’s 150 members.
 
However minor, any type of hazing by a university-sanctioned student organization is “expressly prohibited,” and if found guilty of violating the school’s code of conduct, Holmes says, the students could be kicked out of the band.
 
“This is a teachable moment and we will continue to underscore to our students that their behavior reflects not only on the university, but also on their very character,” said Dr. Alton Thompson, provost and vice president of academic affairs for DSU. “We strongly believe that as a result of this investigation, our band will emerge stronger and will continue to be great ambassadors for the university.”
 
It’s unclear when the students willl appear before judicial affairs, but Holmes says since this is the last week of classes with finals next week, it could be well into the spring semester before hearings wrap up.
 
Meantime, the historically black university has lifted the suspension imposed on the band allowing it to perform during the school’s commencement ceremony next week. Holmes says he does not believe the 16 students at the center of the investigation will be allowed to perform.