TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida A&M University wants to try to settle the lawsuit filed against the school due to the hazing death of a band member.
FAMU trustees on Thursday voted to instruct attorneys representing the university to enter a voluntary mediation session with attorneys for the family of Robert Champion.
Champion died last November after Marching 100 members allegedly beat him during a hazing ritual.
Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts in the hazing of Champion. They have pleaded not guilty.
The Champions in their lawsuit claim university officials did not take action to stop hazing even though a school dean proposed suspending the band because of hazing three days before their son died.
Any settlement would have to be approved by FAMU trustees.
