Stanford University Provost John Etchemendy sent a letter to the leadership of the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band, also known as the Band, on Thursday informing it of his decision to lift the suspension that was imposed last month and place the band in a "provisional status" for the remainder of the 2017 spring semester.

So why the sudden change?

Student leadership within the Stanford Band argued that its suspension for violations of university policy would effectively kill the program altogether.

Etchemendy agreed in his letter lifting the suspension.

"I am now convinced that a two-quarter suspension would pose almost as severe an existential threat as the 18-month suspension initially recommended," Etchemendy wrote.


Photo Courtesy of Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In May 2015, the Stanford Band was found to be in violation of university alcohol, Title IX, and organizational conduct policies. The student-led organization was placed on an alcohol suspension that required all of its activities and events to be alcohol-free, banned from traveling to away games, and was instructed to clean up the culture of the Stanford Band.

However, on December 9, 2016, Stanford Vice Provost Greg Boardman released a statement saying that all activities for the Band were being suspended until the end of the spring 2017 semester. This suspension came as a recommendation from the university's Organization Conduct Board (OCB).

"We do not feel that the current leadership or membership is capable of creating the necessary cultural change," the OCB panel stated in its findings. "We feel there is a total lack of accountability and responsibility in the current organization."

Etchemendy plans to put an oversight committee in place to work alongside the Band's student leaders to ensure the cultural changes the university feels are necessary take place.

"We're still the same irreverent, funky band we've always been," the Band's leadership said in a statement. "Well before this suspension, our leadership committed to member-led reforms that have made band more accessible, welcome, and safe while preserving our character, and we remain dedicated to that initiative."

FloMarching's hottest content, delivered to your inbox

Don't miss breaking news, feature stories, event updates, and more. Sign up for the FloMarching mailing list today.