Related To Story UW Marching Band On Probation |
UW Chancellor Outlines New Rules After Alleged Band Incident
Incident Allegedly Occurred On Road To Michigan Game
UPDATED: 9:27 am CDT October 12,
2006
MADISON, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin chancellor John Wiley laid out new ground rules for the UW-Madison marching band on Wednesday following an alleged incident that occurred during a road trip to Michigan last month.
READ: Read Chancellor's Letter |
TALKBACK: Is Wiley Taking The Right Actions?Wiley put the band on probation after hearing about reports of offensive behavior that allegedly occurred during the group's trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the Badgers football game on Sept 23. Few details about what exactly happened are being made public.In a letter to longtime band director Mike Leckrone last week, Wiley warned that if the rules that he outlined aren't followed, it could lead to the "extinction" of the band, WISC-TV reported."We either solve the problem now, and the band you have built to such legendary proportions survives, or we look at virtual extinction for a significant period of time," he wrote.The chancellor also said that he'll consider suspending further activities, such as the band's performances and travel, and "contemplate wholesale changes in its leadership" if the new rules aren't followed.Wiley wrote in the letter that the alleged behavior "can be seen as anything from boorish and offensive to patently dangerous and unlawful."Casey Nagy, chief of staff in the chancellor's office, said on Tuesday that some of the behavior could be described as hazing as well as other violations of the band's code of conduct. The letter indicates that behavior like vulgarity, hazing and demeaning conduct will not be tolerated.Wiley said that he will order band members to undergo training to prevent harassment, require independent monitors to start traveling with the band, and create a separate office outside the band or university's music program for members to talk about any problems.Wiley apparently met with some band members last week during one of their practices, WISC-TV reported.On Tuesday, Leckrone said that he believed this incident didn't reflect the band as a whole."I think the band members are very proud of what we do, and I think in instances like this, you're talking about a very small minority," Leckrone said.Leckrone said the students involved in what happened have been disciplined, but he declined to elaborate.
Previous Story:
- October 11, 2006: UW Cracks Down On Band After Road Trip Incident
Copyright 2006 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.











