A vote of 5-4 is hardly a clear consensus.

Only one vote prompted the independent commission, created to review the April 2-3 disturbances, not to place blame in its final report.

Instead, the commission provided a list of recommendations intended to prevent these types of events from occurring in the future.

It seems like something is missing.

If the commission can't determine who acted inappropriately that night, how can it determine the best way to prevent it from happening again?

One member of the commission, Beth Alexander, has come forward and said she disagrees with the decision not to place blame.

In her personal statement, which is attached to the report, Alexander wrote "Forgiveness of perceived wrongs often cannot occur until there has been acknowledgment and ownership of errors."

Alexander is exactly right. We commend her for giving many of the concerns held by students a voice in the commission. She understands the events of April 2-3 were more significant than students being forced to walk home bleary-eyed from tear gas.

This community cannot recover from the rift caused by that night until it is admitted that mistakes were made. Once it is established what mistakes were made, and how they were allowed to happen, it will be easier to deliver recommendations to prevent them from happening again.

Some of the recommendations appear worthwhile. Requiring officers to wear identification will make individuals accountable for their actions. A sanctioned event for students might help to control the atmosphere.

Having a first-aid area available could offer assistance to people inadvertently caught up in similar incidents. But it doesn't answer the question of why a first-aid tent needs to be set up in advance. Doesn't that assume force will be used that will require first aid?

After all, the city has already demonstrated its position on the issue. It came in the form of a $1,733 fine that those arrested during the disturbances were required to pay as restitution.

Blame is being placed, whether it is included in the commission report or not. However, it makes no sense for commission that spent the entire summer reviewing the events not to be the one determining who is to at fault.

If it's not their decision, then what was the point?