Florida A&M Prez Resigns Over Hazing Death

Florida A&M University President James Ammons announced his plans to resign today, in the fallout over the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion, whose family is expected to file a lawsuit against the university today, the Orlando Sentinel reports. But Ammons won't actually step down until Oct. 11, he said in his resignation letter, and even after that he intends to "continue my work on science, technology, engineering, and math initiatives as a tenured full professor on our great faculty."

Ammons has faced intense criticism over his handling of Champion's death. "I am saddened by President Ammons' decision to resign," said FAMU's trustees chairman. But "given all that has transpired, it seems to be in the best interest of the University and I applaud him for putting FAMU ahead of his personal goals." (More Robert Champion stories.)