Inside Iowa State

April 1, 2005

Proposed code changes would target riot-related misconduct at universities

by Diana Pounds

The most important part of a regents proposal to address campus disturbances is that it incorporates state law standards about dispersing during a riot, university counsel Paul Tanaka told the Faculty Senate during its March 29 meeting.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, has begun the process to change a section of the Iowa Administrative Code covering the conduct of students and employees of regents institutions. The proposed changes would allow universities to punish students and employees for riot-related misconduct that occurs during university-authorized events, or in any of the three cities where the universities are located.

Tanaka told the senate that the task force that studied last year's Veishea disturbances found a significant number of students who said they didn't understand their obligation to disperse. Very few people were actually engaged in violence, but many were just standing around, Tanaka said.

"There was a crowd of people, many of them cheering on those who were engaged in violent activity, he said."

The regents have proposed the rules changes to "provide very clear notice" to all citizens of campus communities, Tanaka said.

Celebratory riots have become a national issue, Tanaka added. From 1985 to 1995, an average of six such riots occurred annually in the United States. From 1995 to 2002, the yearly average had climbed to 20 incidents.

Tanaka said the regents will take comments on the proposed rules changes through May 13 and decide whether to adopt or change them at their mid-June meeting.

A public hearing on the proposed rules will be telecast over the ICN May 6, from 2 to 4 pm. The ISU community can participate from N147 Lagomarcino. An additional time for comment will be announced later. Written comments can be sent to Tanaka, ptanaka@iastate.edu, or Susan Anderson, Board of Regents, seander@iastate.edu.

The proposed rules are at: http://www2.state.ia.us/regents/meetings/Committees/
EDUMemos/Mar05/0305_EDU06.pdf

The senate also held a moment of silence for Max Wortman, Distinguished professor in business who died March 25. "He was a very special person for the senate, and a friend, a colleague, a mentor and a great leader for me and many of us here," Senate president Sanjeev Agarwal said.

The next senate meeting will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the Memorial Union Sun Room.

ICN public hearing

on proposed rules

2-4 p.m.

May 6

N147 Lagomarcino