Florida A&M band director fights firing

The band director at Florida A&M University is fighting his dismissal following the death of a drum major last weekend, his lawyer said.Charles E. Hobbs III, in a letter to the university, said Julian White is a tenured professor who must receive due process, CNN reported. He described White's efforts to combat hazing in the band, the Marching 100, during the 13 years he has been director as "exemplary."No cause has yet been announced for the death of Robert Champion, 26, who collapsed Nov. 19 at a hotel in Orlando and died that night. University President James Ammons sent White a letter four days later notifying him he was being suspended with pay with intent to dismiss him effective Dec. 22.Hobbs said the university has often failed to support White in his efforts to combat hazing."Dr. White has been at the vanguard of implementing measures to eliminate hazing within the Marching 100 over the past 22 years," he said in his letter.