JSU Suspends Students For Hazing

Jackson State University's band - The Sonic Boom - will be playing again this weekend, but they'll be short by more than two dozen members, who have been kicked out of school for hazing.

The suspended students have 24-hours to appeal their punishment. The university is suspending 27 students from school for two years; 25 were current band members and two were former members.

The band members played in the percussion section and were sophomores, juniors and seniors. The freshmen who were hazed are not being suspended, but are facing "Failure To Comply" charges that carry a fine and probation.

"I wish they would have taken that first goal of being educated instead of going out and being malicious," said Associate Vice-President for Student Life Dr. Marcus Chanay. "It sheds a bad light on the university."

The university started investigating when administrators learned about one student who suffered a broken shoulder. Other members were swollen and bruised from the hazing. School officials say it happened off campus at a location near the corner of State and High Streets.

Officials say it all started after band practice on Friday, September 18th. The freshmen band members were told by the upperclassmen to buy beer and food and meet them at a building near the intersection of State and High Streets, which is where the hazing occurred. Officials won't say which building because the investigation is ongoing.

But some JSU students say punishing band members for hazing is wrong.

"I think for them folks to go in there and snitch on the folks and get them kicked out of school is some bull," said Freshman Demarcus Timmons. "The band should be able to do whatever they want because it's the band."

But Senior Jessica Gordon says she's pleased the university is taking a tough stand against hazing.

"I do think it's a good idea they are implementing the zero tolerance for hazing," she said. "It can be very dangerous.

"People have lost their lives over hazing."

A parent of a sophomore who was suspended showed us a copy of the letter her son received. She wouldn't talk on the record, but says she's frustrated the university is putting a hold on her son's transcripts so he can't transfer to another school.

The university says that's part of their suspension policy. School leader say they're trying to send a message that hazing will not be tolerated.

This Saturday at JSU's Sonic Boom will compete against Southern's band.