[jacketree]

I.....don't know what were these mysterious violations in 2011-12 that seem to be the root of the current blow-up.

As best I can tell: "The [Stanford] investigation found that the band infringed University policies on alcohol, controlled substances, sexual harassment and hazing." http://www.stanforddaily.com/2015/05/15/investigation-of-band-results-in-one-year-travel-ban/

I think it was a little more than irreverence and beer. Band was put on restriction, including travel and alcohol bans, and the Admin. probably felt that after violating said bans (trip to Tahoe and pitchers at some restaurant, maybe among other things) while on probation, a "time out" is warranted.  So yeah, they are treating Band like they are six year olds. But the original two-year time out would have killed them off.

I empathize with Band members who feel that the prosecutorial thread from sexual harassment in 2011-2012 to a full suspension in Spring 2017 is tenuous at best; but welcome to the adult world where if you have a high maintenance history and piss off the wrong people enough times, there are real consequences.  Sure a pitcher of beer with some pizza is innocuous in and of itself, but if you are in the middle of an alcohol ban, then well, maybe you shouldn't get alcohol at something that could even remotely be construed as a Band function.

I think the University is OK with rock 'n roll; less so with the (is it truly consensual?) sex and drugs.

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the Band, mostly because I think they are terrible (at basically being a Band) and don't seem to care that they represent LSJU or have an audience.  But I am a fan of due process and am concerned how flimsy it seems here.  These kids were in high school when the transgressions went down; the sins of the father/mother and all that....

Pretty clear the University feels that such a visible student-run organization needs some sort of adult supervision.  Sure they can all vote, but that doesn't make them adults.  Hopefully reasonable minds can come together during this time out to work out an environment supportive of free expression without hazing, drug abuse, and alcohol-fueled idiocy. They could be great within the framework of their self-proclaimed incomparable-ness.  They haven't been. One theory: Tough to practice or play well when you are drunk, stoned or harassed.

And their numbers are so low....how do we know there isn't even more student interest in performing with a band that cleaned up its act?

I personally think that if you decide you are going to be Stanford's band, you should try to be as good as possible.  This is why I dumped out of GT's band after a quarter, retreating to the alcohol-fueled student section that threw frisbees at the band throughout every show. (And having traveled to ATL this fall for the homecoming game against Duke; the band is orders of magnitude better than in my day.) I can, however, see the other side; where Band is a refuge from stress, and the pressure to, how do I say this nicely....do well.

Anyway, If you feel the need to withhold your financial and emotional and whatever other forms of support there are from the University, do it.  Based on a half century of threats, those alumni who swore never to support the University until they got rid of the Band (and who, you know, haven't died) might make up the difference.

Times are different.  Liability attaches to sponsoring organizations more than ever.  I sincerely hope the Band comes back as its old, funny, rockin' self. But even stronger.

Myself, I am a fan of "toy soldier" bands.  Love the aTm band and saw tOSU's TBDBITL entertain MB&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore against Navy. I thought they were great as did the crowd (probably at least 60% from Columbus). I know. Crazy. They saluted USNA rather than insult them. We aren't getting anything as cool as a HBCU band with a moniker like Human Jukebox or Funk Train, so I ventured to Memorial Stadium alone without Calfan wife as it was too soon (4 years!) after her dad died for her, just to watch Grambling State put on a show. But hey, if they are asking for feedback.....

[jacketree]

I.....don't know what were these mysterious violations in 2011-12 that seem to be the root of the current blow-up.

As best I can tell: "The [Stanford] investigation found that the band infringed University policies on alcohol, controlled substances, sexual harassment and hazing." http://www.stanforddaily.com/2015/05/15/investigation-of-band-results-in-one-year-travel-ban/

I think it was a little more than irreverence and beer. Band was put on restriction, including travel and alcohol bans, and the Admin. probably felt that after violating said bans (trip to Tahoe and pitchers at some restaurant, maybe among other things) while on probation, a "time out" is warranted.  So yeah, they are treating Band like they are six year olds. But the original two-year time out would have killed them off.

I empathize with Band members who feel that the prosecutorial thread from sexual harassment in 2011-2012 to a full suspension in Spring 2017 is tenuous at best; but welcome to the adult world where if you have a high maintenance history and piss off the wrong people enough times, there are real consequences.  Sure a pitcher of beer with some pizza is innocuous in and of itself, but if you are in the middle of an alcohol ban, then well, maybe you shouldn't get alcohol at something that could even remotely be construed as a Band function.

I think the University is OK with rock 'n roll; less so with the (is it truly consensual?) sex and drugs.

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the Band, mostly because I think they are terrible (at basically being a Band) and don't seem to care that they represent LSJU or have an audience.  But I am a fan of due process and am concerned how flimsy it seems here.  These kids were in high school when the transgressions went down; the sins of the father/mother and all that....

Pretty clear the University feels that such a visible student-run organization needs some sort of adult supervision.  Sure they can all vote, but that doesn't make them adults.  Hopefully reasonable minds can come together during this time out to work out an environment supportive of free expression without hazing, drug abuse, and alcohol-fueled idiocy. They could be great within the framework of their self-proclaimed incomparable-ness.  They haven't been. One theory: Tough to practice or play well when you are drunk, stoned or harassed.

And their numbers are so low....how do we know there isn't even more student interest in performing with a band that cleaned up its act?

I personally think that if you decide you are going to be Stanford's band, you should try to be as good as possible.  This is why I dumped out of GT's band after a quarter, retreating to the alcohol-fueled student section that threw frisbees at the band throughout every show. (And having traveled to ATL this fall for the homecoming game against Duke; the band is orders of magnitude better than in my day.) I can, however, see the other side; where Band is a refuge from stress, and the pressure to, how do I say this nicely....do well.

Anyway, If you feel the need to withhold your financial and emotional and whatever other forms of support there are from the University, do it.  Based on a half century of threats, those alumni who swore never to support the University until they got rid of the Band (and who, you know, haven't died) might make up the difference.

Times are different.  Liability attaches to sponsoring organizations more than ever.  I sincerely hope the Band comes back as its old, funny, rockin' self. But even stronger.

Myself, I am a fan of "toy soldier" bands.  Love the aTm band and saw tOSU's TBDBITL entertain MB&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore against Navy. I thought they were great as did the crowd (probably at least 60% from Columbus). I know. Crazy. They saluted USNA rather than insult them. We aren't getting anything as cool as a HBCU band with a moniker like Human Jukebox or Funk Train, so I ventured to Memorial Stadium alone without Calfan wife as it was too soon (4 years!) after her dad died for her, just to watch Grambling State put on a show. But hey, if they are asking for feedback.....