Oct 6, 2008 4:46 pm US/Pacific
UC Davis Marching Band Accused Of Harrassment
DAVIS (CBS13) ―
-
-
The UC Davis marching band has a reputation of being wild.
CBS
Being loud and rowdy is what the UC Davis marching band is known for. But now the band's Director has filed a complaint, claiming sexual harassment.
"What makes the band unique is all the crazy things they do," says Marcus Tang, a student at UC Davis.
But their wild and wacky ways have led to a sexual harassment complaint. After just a few months on the job, the Cal Aggie Marching Band Director Tom Slabaugh claimed some students stripped down to their underwear on road trips, made dirty jokes and created a hostile work environment.
"We don't condone or tolerate any type of behavior that would be in opposition to our policies," says Janet Gong, Vice Chancellor.
University officials say the cannot comment on the details and the Band Director also declined to comment. His lawyers say he had to take a leave of absence because of all the band stress. But he wants his job back, and he's asking the University to give him the power to crack down on the student run organization.
"We've had some misbehavior issues, and we acknowledge that," explains David Jones, Drum Major at UC Davis.
Jones, a drum major, says the band started working with the university on behavior concerns even before the new director arrived. He also says the complaints are grossly exaggerated.
"I can count the number of people who committed those indiscretions on two hands. And we have 200 members, close to 250 right now," David says.
Meanwhile, every student when talked to on campus today backed the band.
"They're kinda known for that. He's coming to the band. He should have done a little research and figured out exactly what he's getting into before he signed up for a job like that," said Andrew Theiss, sophomore.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
