Pam and Robert Champion Sr., the parents of the Florida A&M University drum major beaten to death in November, were among other advocates endorsing a national anti-hazing campaign on Jan. 17.

The campaign focuses on encouraging campuses to recognize and report hazing activity such as that which led to their son’s death.

Robert Champion Jr., 26, collapsed and died Nov. 19, and an autopsy showed his death was a result of internal injuries from a beating authorities connected with hazing.

Tim Hebson, dean of students at the University of Alabama, said the new campaign would not have a large effect on the way hazing incidents on campus are handled because the University already takes a strong stance against hazing.

“UA has always taken hazing seriously, and we will continue to educate students on our Code of Conduct, enforce the Code of Conduct and work to impact the environment with a zero tolerance for hazing on our campus,” Hebson said.

Hazing allegations are handled through the same judicial process used with any other alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct, such as drug and alcohol offenses.

Todd Borst, director of Student Judicial Affairs, said all reports of hazing are taken seriously.

“We receive reports from individual students, faculty and staff members, victims, law enforcement and self reporting from individuals or groups. We also get reports through our campus Hazing and Harassment Hotline [348-HALT],” Borst said. “Each report is fully investigated.”

Hebson said the University works year-round to make students aware of the importance of these reports.

“We advertise the 348-Hazing hotline, and Judicial Affairs does programming throughout the year,” Hebson said. “We will continue to make students aware of the need to report hazing.”

FAMU’s “Marching 100” band has been placed on indefinite suspension as a result of the events surrounding Champion. Borst said groups are not necessarily suspended at UA for hazing incidents.

“We have rarely found it necessary to suspend a group because of hazing,” Borst said. “It’s been our experience that the group is more likely to work with the University to help find the source of the problems of hazing within the organization, look for ways to find the individuals involved and institute programs that help them become better aware of hazing and its dangers.”

For more information on the University’s judicial process and to read the Code of Student Conduct, visit ja.ua.edu.