Christopher Hoch named director of Marching and Athletic Bands at Ohio State

Christopher Hoch has been named director of The Ohio State University Marching and Athletic Bands. Also today, the School of Music faculty voted to confirm his position as assistant professor in the School of Music. More: https://news.osu.edu/news/2016/02/24/christopher-hoch-named-director-of-ohio-state-marching-and-athletic-bands/

Christopher Hoch named interim director of Marching and Athletic Bands at Ohio State

Veteran music educator Christopher Hoch will assume interim leadership of The Ohio State University Marching and Athletic Bands through the upcoming season, Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph Steinmetz announced today. More: https://news.osu.edu/news/2015/05/14/hoch-interim-director/

College of Arts and Sciences Names, Charges Search Committee to Identify New Director for The Ohio State University Marching and Athletic Bands

David Manderscheid, executive dean and vice provost, College of Arts and Sciences, has named and charged the search committee tasked with identifying the next director of The Ohio State University Marching and Athletic Bands. Mark Shanda, arts and sciences divisional dean, arts and humanities, will chair the search. More: https://artsandsciences.osu.edu/news/OSUMB-director-search-cmte-named

College of Arts and Sciences Announces National Search for The Ohio State University Marching Band Director

Arts and Sciences Executive Dean and Vice Provost, David Manderscheid, has named Arts and Humanities Divisional Dean Mark Shanda to chair the search committee tasked to identify a new director for the Marching and Athletic Bands. More ->

College of Arts and Sciences Announces Interim Leadership Plan for Ohio State Marching Band

Ohio State will adopt an interim leadership structure to guide the marching band through the upcoming academic year.

Director of University Bands, Professor Russel C. Mikkelson, and Associate Director of University Bands Scott Jones have been appointed to provide operational leadership and oversight of the Ohio State Marching Band for the 2014-15 season. More ->

University Statement on Ohio State Marching Band Culture



The Ohio State University takes very seriously its responsibility to provide a world class education, which is enriched by a positive campus culture, diverse academic experience and opportunities for personal growth. Those responsibilities are built on the University's core values of integrity, personal accountability, openness and trust.

While the Ohio State Marching Band has embraced a tradition of excellence and become a source of enormous pride for the entire Buckeye family, a recent review of the Marching Band 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 thorough investigation by the Office of University Compliance over the past two months revealed serious cultural issues and an environment conducive to sexual harassment within the Marching Band. In addition, the investigation determined that Director Waters was aware or reasonably should have known about this culture but failed to eliminate it, prevent its recurrence and address its effects.

Jon Waters has been terminated from his position as Director of the Marching Band.

"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.

Moving forward, we must abide by a zero tolerance policy at the University—both with the Marching Band and the entire campus community—for any behavior that creates a hostile culture at Ohio State. I view this as a new day and an opportunity for the Ohio State community to come together and embrace the values and behavior that have made this University great."

In addition to changing the leadership of the Marching Band, the University immediately has taken additional steps to ensure that change is swift and impactful. This begins with the appointment of Betty Montgomery, former Ohio Attorney General, to lead an independent task force, reporting directly to President Drake and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, to review this matter in its entirety. This task force will include nationally-recognized experts:

• Ernst & Young, which will conduct an investigatory review.

• Sports Conflict Institute, which will conduct an independent review of the Ohio State Band culture.

• Outside counsel to provide guidance on Title IX compliance.

At this time, the Ohio State Marching Band season will continue under new leadership and steps are being taken to swiftly identify an interim band director. Additional training and guidance will be developed with new band leadership to create a proper culture, and nurturing environment.

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