Ohio State University has fired its band director for allowing a deep culture of sexual harassment.
Jonathan Waters, 38, has been director since 2012 and was assistant and then interim director for 10 years before that.
An internal investigation revealed examples of abuse, including an annual midnight practice in which band members were expected to march wearing only underwear.
Other examples included new band members being given sexually explicit nicknames and being forced to perform “tricks” on command, such as simulating sex acts.
An unofficial songbook with raunchy lyrics to other schools’ songs was included as part of evidence.
There have also been allegations of alcohol abuse among band members that Waters apparently did not address.
Waters’ attorney David F. Axelrod said, “Jonathan was given the choice by school officials to either resign or be fired by 6 p.m. on Wednesday. He chose not to because he feels that he has done nothing wrong.”
CLICK HERE to read story
source: Wkyc.com
