University officials suspended two students Friday for their alleged involvement in disturbances following two MSU basketball games that caused more than $40,000 in damage to campus and city.
The suspensions are the first responses by the university in reaction to the celebration and riot, which took place between March 28-30, resulting in more than 20 student arrests.
At least five students have been arraigned in 54-B District Court for disorderly conduct charges, but none have gone to trial.
The cases of eight other students are moving through the university's judicial process.
Under university policy, suspended students can petition for reinstatement to the university pending the final resolution of their cases. Suspensions can range from semesters to years.
Officials plan on meeting with students this week to discuss the suspensions.
"I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that when I go in there they say, 'You can go back to school,'" said Tyler Barrett, an interdisciplinary studies junior who was arrested March 28. "Obviously, I'm concerned, not to mention what my dad's going to think."
East Lansing police officers arrested Barrett on two counts of disorderly conduct. He'll plead innocent during his arraignment, which is expected to take place today.
Nearly 200 police officers from several departments, including Ingham and Eaton counties and Meridian Township, were on duty during the March 30 riot.
Both the East Lansing and MSU police departments used $15,000 from their overtime budgets. Those convicted in the riot can be ordered to reimburse the departments for those expenses.
MSU police officers provided information to the university on students who were arrested during the riots and those who can be identified later as participants, MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap said.
Dunlap said he isn't surprised at the quick pace in which the university has started to suspend students involved in the disturbances.
He said police involvement in the suspensions is to refer cases to the university but not to make decisions. The department has eight pictures on its Web site, but Dunlap said more are on the way.
"I think they will probably try to review them as carefully and quickly as possible," Dunlap said. "They're looking at them very carefully before they do anything."
On March 31, East Lansing and MSU police officers asked the public to help identify people in pictures they have obtained. After a few days, officers had received only several tips, but now have about 60 credible tips, Dunlap said.
Barrett said a university official, accompanied by a police officer, delivered the letter of suspension Friday to his house in East Lansing, but he wasn't home. He said they attempted to contact him by calling him at his Harbor Springs address.
If Barrett's suspension is held after this week's meetings, he said he will appeal the decision.
Under MSU Board of Trustees policy, following the March 27-28, 1999 riots, an MSU student can be punished by the university on campus for off-campus activity.
The 1999 riot caused more than $250,000 in property damage to campus and East Lansing. It resulted in 132 arrests, but more than 100 came after the riots through information provided by people with pictures and video.
But Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said the suspensions don't necessarily mean they will be convicted in court.
"All bad conduct isn't criminal conduct and these people are presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said. "It's important for the school to send that message that this cannot be tolerated."
University spokesman JT. Forbes said more suspensions are likely as officials receive additional information from the public. Officials want to show the behavior won't be permitted, he said.
Lee June, vice president for student affairs and services, made the decision Friday to suspend the students, Forbes said.
"These decisions were not made lightly," he said. "These are interim suspensions. These students have a right to appeal."
Chad Previch can be reached at previchc@msu.edu.
