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AS ZANY AS THEY WANNA BE?:
Not if Band members violate
University policy, administrators say. |
David Gonzales/Stanford Athletics |
If it learns to behave,
the Band may play on.
That’s the basic message of University
officials after vandalism at the Band’s temporary Shak
resulted in sanctions and prompted creation of a committee
to examine Band operations.
The
Band had been using a modular unit near Encina Hall since
2002 while awaiting completion of a $2.8 million “Shak” at
the former DeGuerre Courts. After the group departed for
its new home in July, University officials who came to
inspect the module arrived to a scene that vice provost for
student affairs Greg Boardman called “appalling.” Windows
were broken, walls were smashed and smeared with food and
graffiti, and portions of the ceiling had been pulled down.
A subsequent police investigation revealed that at least
a dozen Band members were involved.
The University placed the
Band on “indefinite provisional
status,” which included a one-year travel ban and suspension
of most Band functions, including performing at athletic
events. A 13-member Reinstatement Committee will make recommendations
to Boardman on a range of Band matters, including the conditions
under which it will be allowed to resume full activities.
Chris Griffith, associate director for graduate student life,
was named interim Band director, and will co-chair the committee
along with senior Lauren Graham. The panel includes two
members of the Band and a representative of the LSJUMB alumni
board.
“We do not want to kill the Band,” Boardman said
in early October. “Some people mistrust what we’re
trying to do, and they can choose to believe us or not, but
our goal is to help the Band thrive long term.”
The Band has
violated University policies nine times in the past three
years, including four violations of its alcohol suspension.
Historically, such violations are sent to the Organization
Conduct Board, a panel of students and staff that serves as
the judiciary agent for all student groups. This time, Boardman
decided to take a different approach. “In
the past we have looked at these case by case, but there
hasn’t
been a strategic approach to step back and say, ‘What
should the Band be?’ Technically, the Band is a volunteer
student organization like all the others, but we know it’s
much more than that. It’s an ambassador for the University,
and with that privilege also come responsibilities.”
Band
president Adam Cohen, ’07, said he was angry at
the perpetrators and eager to move forward. “I am more
than optimistic that the steps being taken will result
in us playing this fall.”
The Band did not appear at either
of the football team’s
first two home games but was allowed to participate in
Band Run, a rousing welcome during Orientation. Griffith said
in early October she hoped the Band would be back on the field
soon. She has outlined a series of steps it must take before
being allowed to perform, including developing a member’s
manual that would spell out expectations for conduct and “what
it means to be a Band member.” Griffith says the organization
needs a leadership model and an infrastructure that provides
support for its members. “We want the Band back, but
we also want everybody involved to know we’re serious
this time. You have to earn your way back when there’s
a breach of trust.” |
