Florida A&M University's board of trustees is trying to solve a family's lawsuit against it via pretrial mediation with the family. The family involved is the Champion family, of the late Robert Champion, the A&M drum major who died after a hazing incident.

The incident in question involved a hazing ritual wherein the young Champion was beat by at least 11 individuals. 11 FAMU band members are currently staring down felony charges, while two others have been charged with misdemeanors related to the incident.

Why Mediation Services are Needed for the University

The Champion family isn't just accusing these 13 individuals in the young drum major's death. They are also claiming that Florida A&M University showed serious neglect when it came to band safety and administration.

Among their claims: FAMU neglected to enforce its anti-hazing policies, and did not provide enough oversight to make sure such incidents did not happen. The family claims the university even allowed non-students into the Marching 100 band.

Finally, the Champions claim that FAMU has not provided appropriate disciplinary action. The board did vote to suspend the Marching 100 for the entire school year, but the young man's family obviously does not consider this action by itself to be appropriate in severity.

What Does Civil Mediation Mean for Florida A&M

The board of trustees wanted to make it clear that, just because they chose to enter into mediation with the family, there is no reason to suppose they are admitting guilt.

The board claims that this is just a standard pretrial part of any lawsuit. Should a resolution be reached during the pretrial mediation, FAMU's board of trustees will have to approve it.