Good News: Clark Atlanta’s Band is Back on the Field

The Clark Atlanta University band is back on the field right before the school’s homecoming, thanks to an investigation that cleared the band of all wrong-doing in an alleged hazing incident.  The university has announced that the Mighty Marching Panthers are going to be back on the field, but this was after they were suspended indefinitely just a few weeks before.  Some universities that want to protect themselves from liability are starting to adopt a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing, all to ensure that students are safe and that the campus doesn’t face financial ruin as a result of irresponsible student behavior.

Clark Atlanta administrators say that their investigation was “aggressive and thorough,” and that they found ”neither hazing nor any illegal activity,” according to a statement released by the university.

Since the death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, the hazing ritual has undergone increased public scrutiny.  Another historically black college, North Carolina Central University, suspended it’s marching band for two weeks last month after finding out that there was hazing within its ranks.

Another school, Texas Southern, also had its band suspended for a possible hazing incident.  Will there be any HBCU marching bands around in the future?  It’s really hard to tell.