Florida A&M University President James Ammons resigned Wednesday amid the hazing scandal that included the death of a drum major and major changes at the school.

Ammons resigned Wednesday in a letter to the university governing board.

Ammons has been under fire since the death of Robert Champion after the Florida Classic in Orlando last November. Gov. Rick Scott had previously called for Ammons' suspension, and last month the FAMU Board of Trustees approved a vote of no confidence against Ammons.

Ammons had been president of FAMU since 2007.

FAMU Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Solomon Badger issued the following statement:

"I am saddened by President Ammons' decision to resign, but it is his choice to do so. 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."

In his resignation letter to Dr. Badger, Ammons said there are new challenges to be met and he is determined to move them toward resolution.

The Florida Board of Governors chair, Dean Colson, also expressed a desire to resolve challenges at FAMU in the following statement:

“I was just made aware of today’s announcement and have read President Ammons’ resignation letter. I realize that this must have been a very difficult decision for President Ammons and his family. As the President candidly and correctly noted in his letter, there are challenges remaining at FAMU that ‘must be met head on.’ The Florida Board of Governors is committed to continued assistance to the FAMU Board of Trustees in order to fully resolve these challenges and ensure FAMU’s future success.”

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts for alleged roles in the hazing. They have pleaded not guilty.

Champion family files lawsuit

The family of Robert Champion accused FAMU, a bus company and a bus driver of negligence in the death of the drum major in a hazing incident.

The family formally filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Orange County court, accusing FAMU, Fabulous Coach, the bus company that transported the band to the Florida Classic and bus driver Wendy Millette of wrongful death. They are also suing Fabulous Coach for negligent retention and vicarious liability.

The lawsuit says Fabulous Coach and bus driver Wendy Millette did not do enough to protect the students, and either knew or should have known that the drum major's bus had a history of hazing incidents.

Champion attorney Christopher Chestnut said the charges in the lawsuit are based on witness interviews.

"We plan to hold everyone accountable," said Chestnut. "Who are the main culprits here, how did it happen and how do we prevent it from happening in the future?"

University officials said very little because of the pending litigation, but issued a statement:

"We have known for quite some time that the family intended to file suit. Our hearts and prayers still go out to the Champion family. We are unable to comment further due to the pending litigation surrounding this matter."

The family also had an informational meeting Wednesday in Orlando with the prosecutors who are handling the criminal hazing case.

"In speaking with the prosecutors I was much more confident," said Champion's mother Pamela, who said this was the first face-to-face meeting the parents had with the prosecutors. "They are doing everything they can to ensure that the right people are held accountable."

The family is seeking $15,000 in damages.

New evidence released

Hundreds of pages released Tuesday in the FAMU investigation show the academic records of the students investigated in the death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion.

Included in the files are hazing and harassment agreements that all the band members had to sign, acknowledging that if they were caught participating in any verbal or physical hazing they would be kicked out of the band.

An autopsy shows Champion died after he was hazed on a bus after last year’s Florida Classic.

Since then, 11 current and former students have been charged with felony hazing.

The document release comes one day before Champion’s parents are expected to file a lawsuit against the university for the death of their son.

FAMU announces Department of Music Interim Chair

FAMU announced Tuesday a new interim chair for the music department.

Effective July 2, Kawachi Clemons will head up the department.

University officials said Clemons has more than a decade of music teaching experience, most recently at North Carolina Central University.

He also served on the production staff of the Academy Awards, the halftime show for the Super Bowl XXXIII and special events with Walt Disney Entertainment.

He received his undergraduate degree at FAMU.