Jonathan Waters says he was changing the culture of the Ohio State University marching band while he was director - ending an underground newspaper with questionable material, addressing a "caste system" and stopping drinking on band trips. Waters outlined those points and others in a seven-page document that he submitted when the university began investigating allegations of problems with the band.

Jonathan Waters says he was changing the culture of the Ohio State University marching band while he was director - ending an underground newspaper with questionable material, addressing a "caste system" and stopping drinking on band trips.

Waters outlined those points and others in a seven-page document that he submitted when the university began investigating allegations of problems with the band.

The document was released last night by Waters' attorney, David F. Axelrod.

The university fired Waters last week, saying its investigation found that the band had a "sexualized" culture.

Full coverage: Ohio State marching band controversy

But in his document, Waters said he inherited a band culture in "dire need of change" when he took over as director nearly two years ago.

The document says Waters:

• Corrected a decades-old "caste system" in which first-year band members were at a disadvantage. Waters said he discontinued several practices, including having first-year members pay for food for upperclassmen on game days.

• Made sure band staff members were vigilant about prohibiting all hazing.

• Instructed students that inappropriate behavior on the bus, such as vulgar language, was prohibited.

• Ended Trip Tic, an underground publication that made fun of and insulted band members. Waters reported that he saw a copy of it in 2012 and banned any future publication. One student was suspended for part of that season in connection with Trip Tic.

• Instituted a policy this year that ended all alcohol consumption on band trips, even by those 21 or older.

• Declared an end to the "Midnight Ramp." Waters said in the report that he felt "uneasy" about the band's decades-old tradition of marching into the stadium in underwear on one evening. "The student leaders of the band were unanimous in their support of removing this tradition," Waters wrote.

• Stopped the use of nicknames. Waters said nicknames for members deemed inappropriate were eliminated earlier. But beginning this year, the use of all nicknames was to end.

• Contacted university personnel over a possible violation of the university's sexual-harassment policy in spring 2013. Details about the incident were blacked out.

Also last night, the governing body for the band's Alumni Club called for Waters' reinstatement.

In a statement, the board of governors of the TBDBITL Alumni Club also said that Waters was making changes that he didn't get a chance to finish; that only four of the band's 225 current members were interviewed by the university; and that Ohio State President Dr. Michael V. Drake didn't meet with Waters to discuss the issues.

jwoods@dispatch.com

@Woodsnight