Thirteen people were charged on Wednesday in the death of Robert Champion, a Florida A&M University student who was brutally beaten to death in a marching band hazing ritual last fall, The New York Times reported. Of the 13 people, 11 were charged with felonies and two with misdemeanors. In a tradition called "Crossing Bus C," Champion was forced to walk down the aisle of the bus after a football game and was "beaten, kicked and suffocated" by other band members, according to The Times. The suspects charged with felonies face up to six years in prison. Florida A&M has suspended the band, which will not be allowed to perform at football games this fall, and has placed the band director on administrative leave, The Times reported.
Syrian security forces violently shut down a student demonstration at Aleppo University in Syria on Thursday, resulting in at least four student deaths and multiple arrests, The New York Times reported. The university has suspended classes and is currently in the process of evacuating students. Small protests are still being held on campus, and the suppression has triggered demonstrations at other universities across Syria, according to The Times. Some students and "thugs," known as shabiha, joined forces with the police to quell the demonstration, most notably throwing Samer Qawass, an 18-year-old student, out of a window, killing him instantly, according to The Times.
Chester College of New England, a small art school in rural New Hampshire, is currently facing financial struggles and potential closure after amassing a budget deficit of approximately $750,000, Inside Higher Education reported. A weekend fundraiser featuring a silent auction of student artwork and readings by two noted authors will be used to raise money to add to the $70,000 already raised by supporters, according to Inside Higher Ed. Laura Ives, vice president for academic affairs and students, attributes the school's difficulty in attracting new students to the small size of the school, which has 144 students, and its limited available financial aid. Other similar institutions, such as Dana College in Nebraska, have closed after facing similar financial difficulties, but Ives said she believes that if the college can cover its debt, it will be able to move forward, Inside High Ed reported.
