Ohio State Band Hazing Cost University More than $1M
OSU costs cover investigation and defense costs.
Ohio State University has spent approximately $900,000 for a follow-up investigation related to a marching band hazing incident and to defend itself against a lawsuit filed by band director Jonathan Waters, who was fired prior to the investigation.
A task force hired by the university to examine the culture of its marching band included five firms and charged a total of $698,175. Ohio state also spent $200,000 defending itself against Waters’ lawsuit, which seeks his reinstatement and $1 million. The school has received approval from the state to spend $390,000 more on legal fees in that case, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
OSU has been investigating the hazing of rookies and band traditions. Band leader Waters was fired this summer for what OSU claims was his mishandling of a sexual harassment complaint and failure to undergo training on sex discrimination.
Over the past decade, the university has spent an average of $5 million a year on outside legal work.
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