 "Photo: Cristian Gomez")
Last month's riots in Southwest resulted in the arrest of almost a dozen people, the expulsion of five University of Massachusetts students and several injured police offers, according to police and university officials.
The UMass Police Department, in collaboration with the Amherst Police Department and Massachusetts State Police, arrested 11 people during the Dec. 15 riots in the Southwest residential area of the UMass campus.
The riots immediately followed UMass Football's 28-17 Division I Championship loss against Appalachian State University in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The game ended at approximately 11 p.m., and by 11:10 p.m. more than 1,800 people filled the Southwest area, according to the UMass News and Information Office. The disturbance concluded at approximately 1:50 a.m.
"The UMass Police Department was prepared and in riot gear before the event, which is standard procedure for potential student gatherings following high-profile athletic events. More than 60 officers were at the scene," said Ed Blaguszewski, Director of News and Information at UMass. The officers used pepper spray, sting balls, flash bangs, and smoke to deal with the crowd.
"I'm outraged and terribly disappointed in the students involved in this disturbance," said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Campus Life Michael Gargano. "Whether they were active participants, urging on lawbreakers, or being bystanders, they in some way contributed to what transpired."
Bottles, cans, rocks, trash cans and bicycles were thrown at the police officers, small fires were set, and more than 100 windows were broken along the Southwest plaza, said Blaguszewski.
"These assaults resulted in two officers being injured at the scene and many more now reporting substantial bruising," read a public safety alert released by the UMPD.
UMass Police Chief Barbara O'Connor, was nearly hit by a "one gallon container, believed to be water," according to the public safety alert. The projectile was reportedly dropped from an upper window in the John Quincy Adams tower.
"This container landed within a few feet of the Chief of Police. Had this container hit its target severe injury and possibly death would be the expected outcome," read the report.
The 11 arrests made immediately following the game included one non-UMass student. The charges against these individuals included rioting, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, malicious destruction of property, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of illegal substances, and mistreatment/interference with a police horse/dog.
"Alcohol and substance abuse played a significant role in these events," read the UMPD safety alert.
Of the 11 students initially arrested, five were expelled from the University immediately, one was suspended for a minimum of one year, two received deferred suspensions, and one received probation, according to the UMass News and Information Office.
"These disciplinary measures send a clear message that the University will not tolerate such violent and egregious behavior," said Blaguszewski. "Meanwhile, the UMass Police and the Dean of Students Office will continue to gather and review evidence that may lead to the discipline of additional students."
Gargano, who attended the football game in Chattanooga the night of the riot, said students who encouraged the illegal behavior through cheering are also responsible.
"Many students engaged in rock throwing and uncivil acts that led to the destruction of property and injury," said Gargano. "Many others stood and cheered on their peers and they are equally culpable and share responsibility for this incident."
Opinions varied among students. Some agreed with the disciplinary actions taken against arrested students, while others felt the University was too harsh.
"Students are just trying to have fun, and yeah, it's wrong, but the cops are out to get anyone they can," said junior Nicole Tkacik. "It's a sticky situation, because there are the students who just tag along, but then there are the real troublemakers, the window breakers and whatnot."
Sophomore Dennis Scott said punishment of some sort is inevitable.
"I think people have to be responsible for what happened," said Scott. "If it went unpunished, then how would that look? How do you arrest the whole student body?"
Another student thinks the police are just trying to make examples of the students, and that it is unfair to only arrest some of the individuals involved.
"It's not fair ? every student that was destructive deserves to face punishment, but obviously it is impossible and out of the police's control," said freshman Shaina Jackson. "The cops were more or less trying to make examples out of people, it seemed. There was no possible way every single person doing something wrong could have been caught."
Since the riot, the UMPD has conducted a detailed investigation into participants involved in the riot, said Blaguszewski. He said police are using video taken by university cameras and students to identify rioters.
The UMPD also posted photos on their Web site, with the caption, "If you recognize anyone from the following images or have information about the Southwest disturbance, please contact the University Police."
"It's important to emphasize that the great majority of UMass Amherst students had no involvement in this riot, and in fact some stepped forward to assist the police in their investigation," said Gargano. "I want to thank them for their help and their support of the campus community."
The UMPD plans to conclude the investigation in the coming weeks, and to file charges against additional students.
The estimated cost to repair the damage - including property damage, labor, and materials - exceeds $100,000, according to the UMass News and Information Office.
While the damage creating controversy on the UMass campus is mostly property destruction and personal injury, Gargano believes that the real damage is to the University's reputation.
"The unfortunate, but unavoidable truth is that when UMass Amherst students are arrested for behavior that is destructive to people and property, the public tends to associate every student at the University with such reckless acts," said Gargano.
He argued that the reputation associated with UMass as a result of such destructive behavior is a detriment to all students, from seniors entering the workforce or underclassmen seeking internships and summer employment.
"It makes us all look out of control," said Tkacik. "Everyone who sees it only sees the riots, and they don't see any other things that the students do here."
Tkacik said this type of behavior is expected at UMass. She said all it takes is some students who initiate the behavior, and some students who are easily persuaded to riot.
"Students gathering and cheering is acceptable and shows UMass pride, but once they started becoming destructive, the riot level grew too intense and the behavior was completely uncalled for and ridiculous," said Jackson.
Anna Dolianitis is a Collegian Staff writer. She can be reached at adoliani@student.umass.edu.
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