From Christian mockery at Notre Dame to parodies of polygamy at Brigham Young University, the Stanford Band’s list of outrages grows every year. It was a first, however, that a public complaint was filed by alumnus Eugene Danaher through the San Francisco Chronicle to get rid of the Band once and for all.

Danaher has written letters to President John Hennessy, the Alumni Association and Dean of Student Affairs Greg Boardman protesting that the Band’s sense of humor and wild antics sometimes go too far. His notion of an ideal band follows more traditional lines, like that of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

“They have clean uniforms and snappy routines,” Danaher said. “There are plenty of examples of bands that could be used as models that could bring the Stanford band back into the fraternity of good bands.”

Boardman said that Danaher is not alone in his criticism. Other alumni have also expressed disapproval about the Band’s conduct.

“The anti-Band letters outweigh the pro-Band letters,” he said. “However, I must admit that I don’t get very many letters on this topic. When I do get letters, they tend to arrive soon after an event, like the BYU game.”

The University has no plans to fulfill Danaher’s request, but officials said there is a need to regulate some of the Band’s controversial public displays.

“The Band represents Stanford at many events and, contributes to the public perception of the University,” Boardman said. “The kind of behavior that has been described is not the impression we want to convey.”

He noted two ways the University deals with overly outrageous behavior. The formal process headed by the Organization Conduct Board (OCB) reviews violations of University policy at hearings. A more informal and direct approach takes place regularly between Band leadership and University administrators.

“We continue to work closely with the Band leadership to model and instill in their membership the values and principles of good citizenship,” Boardman said. “To that end, the Band leadership meets regularly with one or more University administrators to assess their progress and to reinforce conduct expectations. I share concerns about any behavior that breaches the expectations of good citizenship that we expect of all Stanford students.”

Nanci Howe, director of the Office of Student Activities, cited alcohol issues as the most pressing concern in toning down Band behavior.

“The University works closely with the Band so that it adheres to all University policies and Athletic Department expectations,” she said. “In the last few years most problems have centered on issues of misuse of alcohol. In response to past alcohol problems, the Band is currently on University mandated alcohol probation and will remain on probation until June 2007. University staff also worked closely with Band leadership when it relieved the former Tree from her role after alcohol problems encountered at a women’s basketball game winter quarter in Berkeley.”

Howe said she feels that communication between the University and the Band is healthy and open.

“The current Band leadership, Michael Priest and Adam Cohen, have proven to be collaborative and responsive to University needs and concerns and have helped strengthen the Band’s relationship with the University,” she said.

Cohen, a junior assistant Band manager, joked about what he felt was the strange nature of Danaher’s complaint.

“Actually, Eugene Danaher is the first person we’ve encountered who has expressed negative sentiments towards the Band,” he said. “That’s why the Chronicle ran a feature on it; it was that strange. We’re currently looking into what sort of changes we’ve made recently that would have fueled such feelings. Our best guess, at the moment, is that it has something to do with the fact that Dr. Danaher is actually an undergraduate alum of Cal.”

Band member Ari Officer, a freshman, said he felt that the controversy would actually help the Band’s popularity and reputation.

“Controversy breeds innovation, conflict and creativity,” he said. “The Band needs some opposition to help guide its development as an integral part of Stanford University.”

While many students said that Danaher’s proposition was excessive, others cited concerns of their own about the Band.

“It is kind of embarrassing when they make fun of majors and stuff,” said freshman Erin Dizon. “I remember one when they made fun of engineers. It’s funny but it’s kind of embarrassing.”

Freshman Ricky Villarreal sympathized with Dizon’s desire to see more structure and organization.

“When I see a band coming from a big university, I want it to show some sort of talent and organization, and I feel that the marching band doesn’t resemble that at all,” he said. “I wish it made more of an effort to try to improve musical skills.”

While both agreed on points of improvement, the freshmen defended the legitimacy of having a band.

“In regards to banning the Band, I don’t think that should be done just because it’s a Stanford tradition,” said Villarreal. “It’s always been here and it’s always lifted the morale of the students.”

Senior Bryan Heckenlively agreed.

“I think that the Band makes going to a sporting event more special. It makes it the special, unique college atmosphere.”

Freshman Brandon Williams added that the Stanford band is not only amusing, but an essential part of the campus atmosphere.

“I love the Stanford Band,” he said. “I think that it is kind of defining of the Stanford mentality — wild and crazy and absurd. A normal marching band — that’s not the Stanford Band. The Stanford Band is part of what defines Stanford.”