Investigation into the O.S.U. marching band reveals disturbingly “sexualized culture”

The Ohio State University Marching Band director Jon Waters was fired from his position after a recent review of the band’s culture and practices “revealed conduct by members of the band and staff that is inconsistent with the University’s values and Title IX requirements,” a statement from the university said.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our students,” said The Ohio State University President Michael Drake. “We expect every member of our community to live up to a common standard of decency and mutual respect and to adhere to university policies.”

The two-month investigation, triggered by the complaint of a parent, revealed a cascade of evidence that students routinely harassed one another, often directed at new band members by older students, and that director Jonathan Waters knew about it or should have known. According to interviews, activities have taken place at least since 2006, but some likely go back decades. A strong alumni network has contributed to the code of secrecy.

The band is known as “The Best Damn Band in the Land” and has appeared in television ads for the Apple iPad. The band uses the iPad to create intricate formations. University officials began investigating the band’s culture after the parent of a band member visited the Office of University Compliance on May 23 to report her concerns about what she believed was a sexualized culture.

That office, following an extensive investigation, concluded that the culture “facilitated acts of sexual harassment” and Waters, 38, who had been involved with the band since 1995 when he became a member, knew about the culture and failed to address it. Waters, who had been director since 2012, was present during the “Midnight Ramp” march when members wore only underwear, and was on a bus in September, 2013 when students hung from a luggage rack and posed in a sexual position, according to those interviewed for the report.

SU President Michael V. Drake said he was disappointed by the findings and the firing, but that all of the university’s senior leaders agreed to the dismissal after reading the report. “We care about what is happening when we are looking, but we also care about what is happening when we are not looking, and our leaders have a responsibility to set that standard and to enforce it,” Drake said in a Dispatch interview.

Ohio State will name an interim director and search for a permanent director, Drake said. The report includes numerous recommendations, including creating a committee to change the band’s culture, reviewing and revising all band policies and procedures and conducting anonymous surveys of band members and staff. Read more about the story here.