The Stanford Band is finally “All Right Now” after a dramatic year of silence in the stands. The band was suspended last August and later placed on indefinite provisional status after the Band Shak was vandalized.

Vice Provost of Student Affairs Greg Boardman announced Jun. 14 that he had lifted the indefinite provisional status of the Band, which first tooted its newly reinstated horns at Commencement. The announcement followed the Band’s cooperation with a yearlong review, which recommended the creation of an administrative position designed for working with the Band.

“In recent years, the University’s relationship with the Band was one more of toleration,” Boardman said. “Because the Band is a student organization, but it represents Stanford in ways that other student organizations don’t, this really needs to be a partnership.”

With the reinstatement of its privileges, effective immediately, the Band can travel and control its own performance schedule, though the group remains on alcohol probation.

“The torch has now been passed back into our hands, whereas before, it was in [the administration’s] hands,” said Band Manager Adam Cohen ’07, who served on the Band Reinstatement Committee.

Boardman appointed the Band Reinstatement Committee last fall when the Band’s suspension was changed to an indefinite provisional status.

After the committee submitted a report in April, Boardman convened an advisory group to review the recommendations and provide feedback. The group agreed to the reinstatement.

The committee recommended that a permanent administrative director, responsible to the Dean of Students office, be a liaison between the Band and the University. Associate Dean of Students Chris Griffith, who has been working with Band leadership since the fall as the leader of the reinstatement committee, will continue as interim director until a replacement is found.

Cohen spoke positively about the group’s relationship with Griffith.

“It was nice to have some sort of administrative presence so we can get the things we want,” he said, “and it makes the administration more comfortable because there’s an adult there. It’s a win-win situation.”

University representatives were quick to assert that the additional administrative oversight will not sanitize the Band’s traditionally irreverent character.

“I think more than ever the University is committed to continuing the tradition of the Band’s creative spirit,” Boardman said. “Now we’re a partner with the Band, so we want to help it be successful.”

"I don’t have any doubt the band will continue to amaze people, amuse people and engage the community," added Griffith.

Cohen agreed that the performances the Stanford community has come to love will not change.

“Short of violating California laws or policies, in a clash between the band and administration, the band wins,” Cohen said. “We’re in control of our personality. We’re going to be just as crazy and unique and fun and awesome as we’ve ever been. We’re not going to change – and the school doesn’t want us to change, so it won’t be a problem.”

Both Band representatives and University officials also lauded the practical advantages of an administrative liaison. University spokeswoman Kate Chesley said that since the Band works closely with a variety of other partners, such as Athletics and the Office of Student Activities, the new position will simplify the Band’s relationships with administrators.

“It will make coordination and communication with the University much easier,” Chesley said.

“I’m happy the school is giving us resources to hire a personal advocate,” Cohen said.

Sammy Franco ’09, Band public relations manager, said he could see both drawbacks and advantages to the creation of the new role.

“We are a student organization,” he said. “Is an administrative director necessary? We’ve lasted for years without one. Then again, we have one now and it’s worked out fine.”

But even with administrative oversight, the Band – which plans to perform at a July 4 parade in Redwood City – is not totally in the clear. Boardman said that the Band could be returned to provisional status if it fails to cooperate with the University.

Cohen said that the Band has no intentions whatsoever of vandalizing any buildings.

“I’m keeping the Band on its best behavior,” he said.