Former band director Julian White is still receiving support from students and alumni who feel he should be reinstated as Director of Bands for the Florida A&M Marching 100.
There are two petitions on change.org, created by Fred Lemons and Melissa Tait, that have received a total of 601 signatures combined as of Dec. 6, 2011, in support of White’s reinstatement.
Tait, creator of the petition, ‘The Reinstatement of Dr. Julian White Job: To reinstate the job of band director Dr. Julian White,’ wrote a letter on the website stating, “The band would not be the same without his guidance and direction.”
Comments left on the website by Lemons said, “The goal is to reach 1,000 signatures immediately… and then as many signatures as possible over the next few weeks.”
Many students are in favor of the petition and think that White should not be the only one at fault for the hazing of Robert Champion. Janea Oates was in favor of the petition.
“He shouldn’t be the only one held accountable. There are other people under him that should also be held responsible,” said Oates, 20, a third-year occupational therapy student from Tampa.
Ashley Johnson said she thinks White should be given his job back because he did what he was supposed to do as band director.
“He did his part and informed Dr. Ammons so he shouldn’t lose his job since he was doing his job. Students are going to be students and hazing will still take place,” said Johnson, 19, a pre-nursing student from Orlando, Fla.
“It’s not his fault. I think it’s bad that he was blamed for what happened,” Que Meheux, a third-year education major from London said. “He was a good director. He should be reinstated, but they should focus more on what happened in the band.”