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Ohio State band director Jonathan Waters may fight firing
Columbus Dispatch ^ | 7-25-14 | Collin Binkley

Posted on 07/25/2014 9:34:07 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic

Ohio State University fired marching band director Jonathan Waters yesterday after a two-month investigation found that band leaders ignored a “sexualized” culture among students and didn’t take sexual-harassment training as recommended. The firing came two weeks after OSU leaders told Waters he could keep the job if he enacted a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment, his attorney, David Axelrod, said yesterday. The firing was a surprise to Waters, Axelrod said. “Jonathan has not decided precisely what action he will take,” Axelrod said. “He intends to defend his good name in one way or another.” Ohio State fired Waters, 38, after a university investigation found a cascade of evidence that students in the band routinely harassed one another –– often directed from older students to newcomers –– and that Waters ignored complaints about those traditions. -

Reached by phone, Waters referred questions about the firing to his attorney. “Jonathan tried as hard as he could within the constraints imposed upon him to change that culture. He did his absolute best,” Axelrod said. But a 23-page report from the OSU Office of Compliance and Integrity questions his effort. University investigators found that Waters knew of several traditions and allowed them to continue. The report also found that he mishandled a report that one band member sexually assaulted another: Waters tried to discipline the female victim along with the male student, but Ohio State reversed the decision. -

(Excerpt) Read more at dispatch.com ...


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Education; Music/Entertainment; Sports
KEYWORDS: band; harrassment; hazing; ohiostate; waters
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1 posted on 07/25/2014 9:34:07 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic; sitetest; Borges

Music ping


2 posted on 07/25/2014 9:35:07 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I suspect OSU is far from the only school where this is going on.


3 posted on 07/25/2014 9:35:18 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator

One school in Florida had a very bad run of “hazing” in the band. I believe someone died as a result. OSU probably trying to get out in front of this due to potential liability issues.


4 posted on 07/25/2014 9:39:22 AM PDT by Mouton (The insurrection laws perpetuate what we have for a government now.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
What's really sad is that TV viewers never get to see the marching bands anymore.
All we get at half-time are commercials, talking heads and more commercials.
5 posted on 07/25/2014 9:47:29 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
band camp photo: band camp z16484132.gif
6 posted on 07/25/2014 9:51:12 AM PDT by Snickering Hound
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To: oh8eleven

Was the last picture of the band formations a tribute to Hillary Clinton?


7 posted on 07/25/2014 9:52:43 AM PDT by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

The band??? When Satan runs the show at our universities, I suppose he doesn’t miss a trick.


8 posted on 07/25/2014 9:54:54 AM PDT by txrefugee
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To: El Cid

Not to worry - the T Rex got her.


9 posted on 07/25/2014 9:58:14 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Mouton
"OSU probably trying to get out in front of this---"

You are correct. TOSU got burned when they tried to overlook problems with the football program when Tressel was coach. I do not think the NCAA can issue sanctions on a program for its marching band, but the Buckeye football brand does not need another public relations black eye

10 posted on 07/25/2014 10:00:05 AM PDT by buckalfa (Long time caller --- first time listener.)
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To: oh8eleven
What's really sad is that TV viewers never get to see the marching bands anymore.

I agree. The half time show is the best part of the game. And viewers really never get to see it at Pro games.

11 posted on 07/25/2014 10:00:15 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic

He is going to lose this one. For better or worse, the old days of drinking and hazing are gone. Even mild hazing. Unless, of course, the “hazing” is screaming at a conservative student about what a horrible, evil monster he or she is.


12 posted on 07/25/2014 10:00:39 AM PDT by Opinionated Blowhard ("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")
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To: afraidfortherepublic

They kept the teacher at Northwestern university who had the sex toy class. Probably gave him a raise.


13 posted on 07/25/2014 10:01:31 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: blueunicorn6

Oh, and in case you forgot, that teacher had a guy and a girl demonstrate the sex toys on each other.


14 posted on 07/25/2014 10:03:14 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: blueunicorn6

Northwestern is a private school, so they have a bit more latitude than a state school like OSU.


15 posted on 07/25/2014 10:08:50 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: oh8eleven

LOL!


16 posted on 07/25/2014 10:14:07 AM PDT by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
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To: afraidfortherepublic; buckalfa

OSU may be trying to “do the right thing”, but there is a rule called “progressive discipline” (yes that evil word, but in this case it means your first infraction you get a reprimand, second you get a suspension, next time maybe a removal - and in extreme cases (murder? Gay slur?) you can get fired for a first offense). This band director was fairly new, maybe here 2 seasons? He allegedly was trying to clean up the mess. But OSU also has a new President, an Obama wannabe who wishes to flex his muscles and demonstrate that there is a new Sheriff in town.

This band director may never work at OSU again but he will get a huge settlement. Like basketball Coach Jim O’Brien due to OSU’s ham-handed handling of his case.

It is only money.


17 posted on 07/25/2014 10:47:55 AM PDT by shalom aleichem
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I was taken aback to see that his attorney’s name is David Axelrod, but he isn’t the same guy as Obama’s.


18 posted on 07/25/2014 11:22:36 AM PDT by FamiliarFace
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Good for him. Jon is a friend of mine. He’s good man who does not deserve this. I think a lot of this unneeded turmoil is due to a fairly new university president who wants to flex his muscles and illustrate he’s in charge. maybe some suspensions are in order, and maybe a year of no travel for the band as a punishment, but the firing is way over the top.


19 posted on 07/25/2014 11:34:39 AM PDT by tang-soo (Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks - Read Daniel Chapter 9)
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To: shalom aleichem

I don’t see your comment until after I posted mine. I see we have the same idea of what seems to motivate this new president.


20 posted on 07/25/2014 11:37:41 AM PDT by tang-soo (Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks - Read Daniel Chapter 9)
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