Despite heavy debate, a revision of the university’s interim riot policy was approved by the Academic Council on Tuesday.
The riot policy will now be sent to the MSU Board of Trustees - the university’s governing body - for final consideration.
Approval of the revision also prevented the current policy from becoming permanent. The policy, passed on an interim basis in 1999, would have been finalized if the board did not receive a measure by April 31.
The changes to the student conduct policy were approved with some alterations, however.
An amendment was submitted by Kurt Lausman, the ASMSU Academic Assembly vice-chairperson for external affairs, that would prevent the university from punishing students accused of rioting off campus.
ASMSU is the university’s undergraduate student government.
“Am I a representative of MSU when I am at the bar having a drink?” said Charles McHugh, Academic Assembly chairperson, who supported Lausman’s amendment. “I don’t deserve to be labeled as a MSU student 24 hours a day.”
Lausman’s amendment was ultimately altered to allow university officials to punish students for rioting on any campus in the world.
Wendy Wilkins, dean for the College of Arts and Letters, gained Academic Council support for the amendment.
“I was thinking about MSU’s relationship with the surrounding community and our relationship with sister institutions,” Wilkins said.
The interim riot policy, which was established by the Board of Trustees after the March 27-28, 1999, riot, allows MSU officials to punish students who take part in any uprising, be it on or off campus. It also lets the university officials suspend students before any court hearing.
Academic Council’s proposal, however, prevents officials from disciplining students for rioting until a verdict is reached through the campus judiciary system. University officials can still suspend students who present a “clear and present danger” to people or property.
Academic Council is the highest body in Academic Governance and approves general student regulations and rights.
Other alterations include the changing of the policy’s name to the Michigan State University Student Disorderly Conduct Policy and eliminating “failing to disperse when so directed by peace officers” as a definition of disorderly conduct.
Steve Bossi can be reached at bossifre@msu.edu.
