UMAA Executive Director: Stopping the Riots
7/9/2003On the night of Saturday, April 12, mayhem broke out in Minneapolis and in Durham, New Hampshire. In both cities, rocks, bottles, and cans were thrown at firefighters and police officers. Windows were broken, property was damaged, and fires were set.
For the Gopher fans who took to the streets, the occasion was the men's hockey team capturing the NCAA Championship in Buffalo, New York. For our East Coast opponent, the reason was a 5-1 loss in the game. For the second consecutive year, our Gopher men's hockey team won the national title—a feat in hockey that hadn't been done by any institution in 31 years. But also for the second consecutive year, fan misbehavior stole newspaper headlines the next day.
The total cost of the damage and repair from that night will easily top $150,000. Twelve University students were charged with disciplinary violations under the Student Conduct Code and face criminal proceedings, ranging from minor citations to felony charges.
The next day, University President Bob Bruininks, who is almost always mild mannered even in a crisis, expressed outrage and disappointment about the vandalism. "It is truly sad that the ugly, violent, and illegal behavior of a few threatens to overshadow this victory," he said. "I am upset and outraged. Furious to see this conduct on the heels of a phenomenal accomplishment." Bruininks vowed that "we will do everything that we can to identify individuals involved in illegal activity and ensure they are brought to justice."
While we struggle to understand the psychology of celebratory riots—why happy crowds can suddenly turn into violent mobs—the University is not standing still. Actions are being taken on many fronts, and perhaps our alumni can help us find the solution to this distressing problem.
Photographs of the perpetrators have been posted on the University Police Department Web site (www.umn.edu/police), and $2,500 rewards have been offered for information leading to arrests and convictions. A special committee of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and administrators was formed immediately to analyze the situation and make recommendations. Eight weeks later, they presented a course of action to the Board of Regents at its June meeting.
The regents approved a policy on riotous behavior that will enable the University to extend jurisdiction to areas proximate to campus, as well as at any location when the riot occurs in connection with or in response to a University-sponsored event, even if that event takes place on another university campus. We've followed Michigan State University as only the second institution in the Big Ten to develop such a policy that addresses riot-level behavior, on or off campus.
At least one instance of a celebratory riot has been reported at eight of the 11 Big Ten institutions (according to a study released by Ohio State University in April). And the major universities that are dealing with these alarming issues, as well as those that hope to avoid them, have been vigorously gathering and sharing data about celebratory riots. This fall, the University will host a national conference on student celebratory riots with Ohio State. We'll participate in a research project sponsored by Michigan State, which is exploring issues surrounding off-campus parties that disrupt neighborhoods year-round. The U will also participate in a student summit on promoting responsible celebrations, hosted by the University of New Hampshire. Alcohol and binge drinking are acknowledged as ingredients of fan incivility, and the U's Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Committee will report on those factors to the regents in September.
President Bruininks has asked everyone—particularly our students—to be a part of the solution. A new staff position will focus on student-community relations by fostering student-led initiatives in our adjacent neighborhoods. The University student guidebook will illustrate the unacceptable behaviors that will result in severe consequences. That message will be delivered at new-student orientation and new-student convocation. At every venue, and at every turn, students will hear that they will be kept accountable.
"Going to the University of Minnesota is not a right, it's a privilege," David Metzen, newly elected chair of the Board of Regents, recently said. "We want to make sure that we're fair with our students. But it is a privilege, and privileges can be taken away. If you go against what the University stands for . . . we'll pull the privilege."
The vast majority of U students were as appalled and embarrassed by what occurred as our alumni were. That quiet majority needs to make itself heard. The leaders of our institution have sent a clear message that sportsmanship, character, and civility are the expectation for all students. As an alumni association, we need to carry that message, to pass it along to others. As we join students in arenas and stands, we can set an example of sportsmanship for our opponents' team, coaches, spirit squad, and fans. And, most important, we can set that example for our own students.
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