MSU and East Lansing police have received several tips that might lead them to participants in weekend disturbances that caused up to $40,000 in damage, police officials said Tuesday.
"We're hoping for some good public input," MSU police Inspector Bill Wardwell said. "We can't do this alone.
"We're going to need a lot of help."
A task force, made up of East Lansing and MSU officers, also is accepting video and still photographs taken during the riot. The departments will issue a $2,500 reward for tape or photos leading to the arrest and conviction of riot participants.
Anonymous information also can be reported.
After the March 27-28, 1999 riot, MSU created a Web site with pictures from the disturbances.
The hope was that viewers would identify riot participants. The 1999 events resulted in 132 arrests, 20 of which came the night of the riot.
There were eight arrests made Sunday night, East Lansing police Capt. Juli Liebler said.
"It's all out in the open and anybody can see it," Liebler said. "There is no need for a search warrant."
Police officials also are looking for witnesses to a fall that seriously injured a 21-year-old Wyoming, Mich., woman. Sara Bouwman suffered a head injury after falling from a 10-foot wall near the Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Ave.
On Tuesday, Sparrow officials said Bouwman was in the intensive care unit, but did not release her exact condition at the request of her family.
East Lansing detectives are investigating what caused Bouwman to fall, police Chief Louis Muhn said.
"This is a very tragic event," he said. "It doesn't bode well in light of the events that occurred here on Saturday and Sunday. It could have been avoided if this hadn't happened in the first place."
City officials have publicly expressed disgust and disappointment toward the riots.
Tips the task force collect will be used by the university judicial system and could lead to a possible suspension if students were found to have violated university policy, said Lee June, MSU vice president of student affairs.
The Student Disorderly Conduct Policy states officials cannot discipline students until a verdict is reached through the campus judiciary system. University officials retain the right to suspend students who present a "clear and present danger" to people or property.
The current policy allows students to be punished for acts committed on MSU's campus, areas near MSU and other college campuses.
"A person could be held accountable in both systems," June said. "They are independent of one another."
MSU police Inspector Mary Johnson, who was in Cedar Village on Sunday, said the community's help is needed to complete such a large investigation.
"When the community steps forward and assists in any investigation, it's usually very successful," Johnson said. "They offer the information and they help lead to a successful conclusion to something of large impact."
Photos of the riot can be viewed at www.police.msu.edu/tipline
Police are asking anyone with information on riot participants to call (517)353-3169.
People with information on Bouwman's fall can call East Lansing police at (517)351-4220.
Staff writers Kendra Snyder, Brian Charlton and Chad Previch contributed to this report.
