As the controversy over the firing of OSUs marching band director continues, records indicate the university knew about hazing and questionable initiations as far back as 32 years. As WOSU reports, a former music school official told former staff members to put an end to it. When Ohio State fired marching band director Jon Waters, in July, officials said he failed to stop hazing and sexual harassment within the band. OSUs investigation noted the sexualized culture was in place for years. Now, OSU records indicate university officials knew of the band members hazing and initiation rituals in the early 1980s. In a letter dated 1982, a university official told then associate band director Jon Woods to immediately stop the questionable behavior. Former school of music director David Meeker told Woods his office had been notified about incidents during a trip the band made to Illinois. The letter lacks specifics, but Meeker noted hazing violated the law and the student code of conduct. WOSU obtained the letter through a public records request. Meeker wrote that students should not be subjected to abuse to be a part of the band. And he was blunt. Meeker told Woods he would replace the band staff if he got wind of similar incidents in the future. Woods was unavailable for comment because of an illness. We did speak to former band director Paul Droste, who is mentioned in the hazing letter to Woods. I would say we were a reactive staff at that time." Droste said he and Woods addressed any issues band members had, and specifically the hazing. That language about firing the whole staff, thats Dave Meeker," Droste said. "I think we addressed everything, hopefully, to his satisfaction because I dont remember any follow up on any issue.
And there was no follow up about the 1982 incident in Woods personnel file. But in 1986, two years after Woods became head band director, Meeker again questioned behavior and traditions in the band. Meeker admonished some band members who objected to sharing performance time with a dance group. A summary of the meeting also indicates Meeker also ordered band members to end certain aspects of their traditions. Meeker wrote the traditions must never be repeated again in the history of the University. Meeker wrote Woods was committed ending the behavior. The rest of Woods 450-page personnel file is filled with glowing praise for his teaching, performances and accomplishments. Under your direction, the Marching Band continues to be the premiere marching entity in the nation. You continue to be the model of professionalism for our students. But this summers university investigation indicated hazing and sexualized traditions continued throughout Woods tenure. Woods retired in 2012 after directing the band for 28 years. His successor Jon Waters claims he was trying to eliminate customs like marching in underwear and offensive nicknames, when he was fired. Waters supporters say the university has mischaracterized the bands culture. Gary Leppla, who chairs the TBDBITL Alumni Club legal review committee, commended Meeker for trying to address the incidents that were brought to his attention. Clearly the university had an awareness of the issues, at least a couple of issues, that occurred during that time, and thats good stuff," he said. But Leppla said they are not indicative of a pervasive inappropriate culture. For the university, or anybody, to claim that that was an on-going situation that extended into the 22 months that Jonathan Waters was director is the disconnect because it did not." Leppla said.
Waters has filed suit against the university. He wants his job back and $1 million.