The University of Wisconsin Marching Band learned once again last week that what happens in Michigan does not stay in Michigan.

After allegations of hazing surfaced last Friday afternoon, Band Director Mike Leckrone suspended the band indefinitely, including during last Saturday’s football game against Ohio State. According to Leckrone, the hazing allegations are alcohol-related and involve inappropriate sexual conduct. The situation appears to be very similar to misconduct on another trip to Ann Arbor two years ago.

Leckrone was given a short period of time Friday to make a decision about the band’s future, leading him to issue the indefinite suspension. We applaud Leckrone’s quick action in suspending the band. Although the mistakes of a few resulted in the penalization of many, there does not appear to be an immediate, viable alternative Leckrone could have taken considering the seriousness of the matter.

Additionally, we hope the immature actions of a handful of students do not tarnish the distinguished career Leckrone has had at UW. The Wisconsin Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award winner’s legacy should be based on the music he and the band have created, as he built the program into one of the nation’s best.

While Leckrone’s actions have been commendable, we are concerned about Chancellor Biddy Martin’s involvement — or lack thereof — in the process.

Martin did not attend Friday’s press conference with Leckrone, Dean of Students Lori Berquam and Gary Sandefur, dean of the College of Letters and Science. She did not address the situation publicly until Monday when Don Wiebe, a UW associate professor, raised the issue during a Faculty Senate meeting. While it may be appropriate for many of the decisions to be left up to Leckrone and the UW Offices of the Dean of Students, Martin should have immediately condemned the band’s behavior and thrown her support behind the suspension. When asked for comment from Martin this Tuesday on the situation, UW Communications told a Herald reporter that she was not available to comment.

Two years ago when hazing allegations surfaced, it was then-Chancellor John Wiley who put his foot down, meeting with the group as a whole and putting them on probation. No additional allegations surfaced during the remainder of his tenure as chancellor.

In the future, when the national spotlight is placed on UW, we expect Martin to step up and represent the university and immediately show her support for her administration and faculty.

We hope the issues with the band are settled quickly, as the band serves as an integral part of the Camp Randall experience. Those who violated either UW System or Marching Band conduct codes should be reprimanded, and innocent band members should take notice and do their part to ensure everyone follows the expectations Leckrone has for them.