The question on everyone's mind, "Will history repeat itself?" is a moot point. It's not really a question, but rather a choice MSU students will make about whether to celebrate (or sulk) graciously or cut a fresh wound into the image of the university.
Everyone is excited to have both of MSU's basketball teams advance to the Sweet 16. If you are a college student, it's definitely a cause for celebration. If you're a city or university official or a police officer, basketball probably isn't the first thing on your mind.
Community leaders have expressed concerns about a riot situation arising on campus following the games this weekend. Olin Health Center issued a flyer throughout the city and on campus that asks people to be responsible when they celebrate.
Messages of "Go Green" and "Go White" were juxtaposed against suggestions to remember the cops can bust you and reminders that "Party Noise" citations carry a possible $1,000 fine or a minimum of three days in jail.
You can take the message as a friendly public service announcement or a threat - your choice. If you see it as the latter, chances are you harbor a feeling that the officials are being a killjoy and you should be able to do whatever when enjoying Spartan basketball.
The truth is, you can do what you want to do, and during the March 2003 disturbances many did. Among them, some were picked out to pay the $40,000 damage tab to the city and campus as the result rioters' actions.
Maybe some of you weren't on campus when the riots occurred, or maybe time has fogged your memory, but it wasn't just people starting fires and pushing over pop machines who were arrested.
Picked from the crowd were about 30 revelers whose crimes ranged from flashing private parts to just being there. A fair amount of minor-in-possession charges were handed out as well.
These people faced their respective charges, and some extra ones just for being associated with the mayhem. Many of them were given an unlawful assembly charge, a felony which has a penalty of up to five years in prison.
These riot martyrs were sent to circuit court in Lansing and made to testify in front of judges who didn't hesitate to issue jail sentences. Jail sentences, not fines or community service: behind bars, no human contact, surrounded by people that might scare you, time.
Some of them found themselves barred from returning to campus for two years; others were required to make public speeches about their mistakes. Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III was adamant about hardening punishments to make an example of those convicted.
"This is no joke, and we are not going to tolerate it," he said in August 2003. "You are here to get an education, and you are going to have fun, but there are civil limits to having fun."
Dunnings also wasn't coy about the lasting effects of having a record marred with riot charges.
"Not only does this not go away, it could very well haunt them for the rest of their lives." he said.
The university and judicial system got tough on students because they neglected to remember the ramifications of the 1999 riots.
An even larger riot on March 27-28 of that year resulted in about $250,000 in damage and 132 arrests, including 71 MSU students.
But everything that happened in 2003 wasn't solely the fault of the students. If you witnessed the scene, you probably remember the endless train of police cars parading down Grand River Avenue before the game.
Subsequently, many were drawn out into the riot by their curiosity to see what police were doing.
Hopefully, this year, they'll take a more low-key approach while still assuring they are adequately prepared. Their glaring presence in 2003 seemed to almost fuel students' wishes to create mayhem.
Keeping celebrations safe is a responsibility of everyone on campus. With that attitude, students should be able to enjoy the men and women's participation in the NCAA Basketball Tournaments without violence.
One of the events people tend to forget when referencing the March 2003 riots is the fun celebration two days before the more violent occurrence. The MSU Men's Basketball Team had just won their Sweet 16 match, and more than 1,000 people gathered in Cedar Village to revel without causing massive damage or forcing police to deploy tear gas. It was simply a celebration, the way it should've been.
Although that celebration was a precursor to the violence that would rear its head after MSU's Elite Eight loss, for a moment, it was a positive thing.
We hope this year's reaction to our tournament bids will hearken back to that night. It will be students' choice to perpetuate a party-school image or show the world that they are something better.
Seriously, give some thought to how you might react to the outcomes of these approaching games. You stand to lose more than the university if you decide to act irresponsibly.
