Leckrone: Band culture will change

The UW Marching Band will begin a long-term process designed to change a culture that had allowed demeaning and inappropriate activities, as a result of a recent review of band conduct led by the Offices of the Dean of Students (ODOS).

The band’s Oct. 3 suspension is lifted, and the group will be allowed to perform at the Oct. 11 game versus Penn State. However, the group will not travel for the time being, and additional complaints will result in reconsideration of the group’s suspension.

The ODOS review will remain open, but immediate concerns related to the health, safety and academic impact on its members have been addressed, according to Dean of Students Lori Berquam.

“Our review confirmed that much of the behavior described in the complaints actually took place,” Berquam says. “These activities represent intimidating behavior and extremely poor judgment on the part of people who represent the university as ambassadors.”

Mike Leckrone, band director and music professor, says, “Along with my staff and student band leaders, we will take a major role in changing the culture of this band as we move forward. There are actions we will take immediately, as well as long-term strategies that need to be identified and implemented. I continue to be concerned about underlying cultural problems. If they persist, we will suspend again.”

Initial complaints to ODOS and Leckrone focused on humiliating behavior, inappropriate peer pressure, underage drinking and unacceptable sexualized behavior, Berquam says. A report that students were fondled against their will was not substantiated.

More than 60 band members voluntarily came forward and provided information that confirmed the details of the complaints, with some occurring on a Sept. 27 trip to Ann Arbor, Mich. In addition, a letter was sent from Berquam to band parents to give information about the situation, check on the well-being of their students and encourage reporting of inappropriate activity.

Individuals who may have instigated these activities will be adjudicated under UW System non-academic misconduct codes 17 and 18. Students have the opportunity to file criminal complaints, if they so choose. Berquam notes that her office will consider any additional information from band members or parents.

More important than being an entertainment component of UW–Madison sporting events, the band is designed to be an academic and leadership activity through the College of Letters and Science, according to Dean Gary Sandefur.

“At its heart, the purpose of the band is to enhance the educational experience of our students, not to impede it,” he says.

To address the band’s cultural issues, Leckrone, his staff and student leadership, in cooperation with ODOS, will take action on new initiatives to prevent recurrences of problematic behavior.

They include:

• Appointment of a staff member to work with band members and promote a positive culture change. This person will report directly to the dean of students.
• Review of the band as an educational activity in the College of Letters and Science. This will include a self-study by the band, a report from an external committee made up of other faculty in the college and a review by the L&S academic planning council.
• Establishing an ongoing review and monitoring process of band staff to enhance their accountability for the behavior of members under their oversight.
• Additional changes to travel and performance policies, including prohibitions on unauthorized performances.

The UW–Madison Marching Band did not perform at the Ohio State game on Oct. 4, the first time in nearly 40 years that the band did not perform at a home football game.

Personal conduct of marching band members has been a matter of university concern dating back nearly a decade. In 2000, the university established a written code of conduct for the band, and Leckrone has taken action to discipline violators in past years.

In fall 2006, the band was put on probation by then-Chancellor John Wiley for sexual hazing and harassment. After Wiley’s decision, there was a period of improvement.

However, Leckrone says the group needs to re-dedicate itself to off-the-field improvement.

“I hope these solutions will provide our band members with accountability and dignity,” he says. “I hope that these changes will also ensure that our band will live up to our fans’ expectations and those of the entire community.”