Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Hotvedt, Carmen" <>]

Greetings, all:

Certainly, it is concerning that the UW-Marching band has an ongoing
legacy of using overtly and inappropriate sexual humor, innuendo, and
behaviors.

But these behaviors are not simply overtly sexual.  They are also
overtly sexist and demonstrate power by sexual entitlement.    

Read on---

Carmen Hotvedt, Violence Prevention Specialist
UW-Madison www.uhs.wisc.edu/assault
608/265-5966
 

-----Original Message-----
From: UW-Madison news 
[mailto:]
 
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 4:15 PM
To: Carmen Hotvedt
Subject: UW-Madison News Release--Band Behavior Outlined

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/12/06

REPORTS OF UW MARCHING BAND CONDUCT DETAILED

MADISON - In an effort to foster public understanding regarding reports
of misconduct by members of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band,
Chancellor John D. Wiley and band director Mike Leckrone today disclosed
the nature of some of the reported behavior.

Although Wiley's post-practice meeting with the band on Thursday, Oct. 5
was intended to be an internal discussion, media reports of the meeting
have sparked confusion regarding the nature and severity of the reported
misconduct.

"This sort of conduct by a valued ambassador of the university is, at
the very least, an embarrassment," says Wiley. "I'm hopeful that I
conveyed an unambiguous message to band members and staff - that this
type of behavior will not be tolerated."

Reports of one band member having his head shaved in a hazing incident
and lewd dancing by semi-nude band members during the band's road trip
to the University of Michigan on the weekend of Sept. 23 were a tipping
point, Wiley says.

"From reports we have received, it has become increasingly clear that
certain types of sexualized and hazing behavior are an ingrained part of
the band's culture. We will not provide an ongoing venue for this
inappropriate and demeaning behavior," Wiley adds.  "There is no reason
to pretend that this is simply high-spirited fun."

Reports of inappropriate conduct by some band members include:

* A female band member told to suck on a sex toy in an apparent hazing
incident.

* Women being forced to kiss other women in order to gain access to bus
bathrooms.

* Women being forced to draw pornographic pictures for older male band
members, recite obscene limericks or stories, and read aloud explicit
accounts of their sexual preferences composed for them by others for
older male band members.

* The practice of women swapping shirts with males.

* Demeaning and abusive demands for younger band members to run errands
and refill beer cups for older members.

* Upperclassmen have been reported to have "taken over" the dorm rooms
of freshman women, supplied alcohol and demanded they join in the
drinking.

* In 2004, band behavior in a bus led to the driver pulling over and
calling for police.

* The Athletic Department has allocated funds to allow cheerleaders and
the dance squad to travel in separate buses whenever possible, so they
will not be subjected to harassment by the band.

Leckrone says he has continually worked with the band over the years to
rein in inappropriate behavior and he apologized to the band's fans.

"Both the staff and band members are deeply sorry for the unfortunate
conduct on the Michigan trip, and these other reports of unacceptable
behavior. We acknowledge the need to shape up," Leckrone says. 

The band's conduct has been a matter of concern for some years. In 2000,
the university established a written code of conduct for the band, and
Leckrone has taken action to discipline violators in the past. Officials
are currently conducting a review of the program.

"The university has made a strong effort to improve the conduct of its
fans in recent years," Wiley says. "To allow the band to continue to
behave in this fashion without consequence would be unthinkable."

The chancellor and Leckrone have had numerous discussions regarding band
conduct and Leckrone has also discussed the issue with the band. Wiley
says that he addressed the band a few years ago and saw temporary
improvement.

"After the most recent reports, I felt it was important to meet with the
band and let them know they are on probation and that future missteps
will result in consequences - including a travel ban or suspensions of
performances by individuals, sections or the entire band - if they can't
clean up their act," Wiley says.

The chancellor emphasized the importance of the band - and its fans - to
an exciting game-day experience, and to building school spirit.

"I'm a big fan of the band," says Wiley. "I have had thank-you parties
for them, and my wife and I have endowed a position in the band. But our
pride in the band has been tested, and band members and band leadership
must show they can maintain an appropriate, safe and respectful
environment for everyone."

Leckrone says he is confident that band members will be on their best
behavior and will work to change its culture.

"We'll take our medicine and move forward to become a better band, one
deserving of our great fan following," he says.

###


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