OSU disciplines students in Nov. 19 disturbances

Several Ohio State students have been sanctioned by the University for their actions in the off-campus disturbances occurring on Nov. 19.

All but one of the sanctioned students had been arrested by Columbus police on charges ranging from having an open container of alcohol to air pollution (adding materials to uncontained trash fires). The other student was identified through an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers.

Another individual, identified in some early news reports as an Ohio State student, was determined not to have ever enrolled in Ohio State and, therefore, was not included in the University's review.

Each of the students was sent a letter outlining his or her sanctions, which were imposed by William H. Hall, interim vice president for student affairs. President William E. Kirwan had asked Hall to investigate the conduct of the arrested students, as well as any others who could be positively identified as participating in crimes of violence. Hall interviewed each student and examined the arrest reports and other evidence before reaching his judgment on the appropriate penalties.

Three of the students have been suspended from Ohio State for winter quarter -- meaning that they will not be permitted to enroll in classes or participate in other official student activities. These students will also serve two quarters of probation when they return to Ohio State and are required to take part in an alcohol assessment.

Other sanctions imposed include two- and three-quarter probations, written warnings, community service obligations and alcohol assessments. One student was given only an oral warning.

The University, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, will not identify the students or their individual sanctions.

"The appalling behavior of a few of our students during this event called for swift and strong action,"Hall said. "The University means to send a strong message to our students that arson, disorderly conduct, property destruction and the like will not be tolerated. At the same time, we have tried to be fair and consistent in applying discipline. I am confident, after speaking individually with these students, that they are now fully aware of the consequences of their actions."

Hall noted that the University was disappointed that the perpetrators of the most violent acts, such as the stabbing of one student, smashing windshields and overturning cars and the numerous arson incidents, were not identified and prosecuted.

In remarks to trustees, Kirwan emphasizes that short- and long-term solutions are needed

President Kirwan spoke to the Board of Trustees on Dec. 1 about campus-area disturbances following the Michigan game. Below are his remarks:

"I feel it is important to report briefly on the campus area disturbances in the neighborhood east of High Street following the Michigan football game. Throughout that night, some 125 fires were set, four automobiles were badly damaged or demolished, and many car windows were broken. One student was stabbed as he tried to get people to leave a party in his apartment. Thankfully, he is recovering. Eleven students were arrested on a variety of charges, and several more may be arrested before the Columbus police close this matter.

"What compounds the problem is that there was a similar event in the neighborhood just a few weeks prior to this one, so we can't think of these events as a one-time aberration.

"As I'm sure you are aware, accounts of the events appeared on television and in newspapers across Ohio and around the country, if not the world. My office and e-mail have been flooded with letters and messages from parents, students, faculty, alumni, prospective students and friends of the University. Almost without exception, these messages have supported the strong public stand we have taken. Many have suggested constructive steps we might try in order to moderate these kinds of behaviors.

"We have to face the fact that as a university community, we are at risk of developing an image that is antithetical to our goals and aspirations for academic excellence. A visitor to our campus after that weekend wrote to me with the remark, ÔYou never get a second chance to make a first impression.'

"What do we do about this? There are no easy solutions. In the short run, I felt it was critical to send a message that the University takes responsibility for dealing with student behavior of this nature. I have stated publicly that it was my intention to discipline any of these students where there is clear and compelling evidence that they were involved in acts of arson, destruction of property, or physical violence against another person (see sanctions, above). É

"For the longer term, the University Senate is considering extending the Code of Student Conduct to serious offenses that occur off campus. Both the Undergraduate Student Government and the Council of Graduate Students have expressed support for this change in the Code. I think such action by the Senate would be a very constructive step.

"In addition to a process that allows for strong punishment, I think we all agree that we need proactive measures as well -- measures that encourage and nurture more constructive behavior in our community. One of the positive things to happen in the aftermath of the disturbances -- a silver lining, if you will -- is the extent to which people have begun talking about new strategies.

"I want to especially thank B.J. Schuerger, president of the Undergraduate Student Government; Ron Meyers, president of the Council of Graduate Students; Bill Hall, interim vice president for Student Affairs; and Vernon Baisden, assistant vice president for safety and security, for the very constructive roles they are playing in bringing people together to develop ideas that hold promise for the future.

"Some of the things under consideration include a security service available for large parties in the area on the weekends and increased presence of University police in the University District, and more weekend programming in the Union. I also think that our major investment and commitment to Campus Partners and completion of the Gateway Project will be part of the solution because it will provide a wide variety of alternative entertainment activities.

"It's also important to emphasize that, as with prior incidents, the recent problem was caused by a small group of individuals. The vast majority of our students are law-abiding and behave appropriately.

"Let me conclude by repeating that there are no easy answers to this vexing problem. Clearly, we all need to work together as a community over a sustained period of time to find and implement effective solutions. It's essential that we do so, since nothing less than the quality of life for our student body and the reputation of our University are at stake."

The full text of Kirwan's Dec. 1 remarks, including a presentation on the Academic Plan, is available on the Web at http://president.ohio-state.edu/speeches/trustees%2012-00.html.

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