MAJOR Update: Since the video coverage didn’t happen, the content of this post is being completely overhauled. The video embeds and chats were removed.
What was going to be a meeting/press conference with Michael Roth at 9am turned out to be an informal–and apparently unfilmable–meeting with students, Dean Mike, and President Roth. As I say in the comments, I think it’s pretty crappy that I was asked not to film/broadcast the meeting, but I politely complied. A reporter from the Argus covered the event, and WSA President and Vice Presidents elect Pernick and Carlin were there as well. They will follow up I am sure, and I overheard them informing Dean Mike that they would like to be included in meetings regarding the event.
So I got to the Q&A a bit late. When I arrived early to set up my camcorder, I was told that no meeting time or place had been set. I was promised a phone call with details when they were available, but that phone call never happened. It pays to follow up, so thanks Anon 9:04. When I arrived, I was told that the meeting could not be recorded.
The meeting was smaller than I expected it to be, with only about 22 students in attendance. This is understandable considering the move-out deadline is fast approaching, that many students have already left, and that many others need some sleep. Still, there were a handful of students present who provided first-hand accounts of over-the-top police action. Unfortunately I was unable to keep up with the conversation well enough to provide detailed notes.
Rather than try to summarize the meeting (read my piece-meal account in the comments section), I will wrap this up with a list of things you can do:
- Send your first-hand account
If you don’t have a first hand account, but you heard something from a friend, get that friend to send hir first-hand account to President Roth and Dean Mike (mroth@wes and mwhaley@wes respectively). - Send a complaint
[Edit] Jacon provided a helpful list of names and addresses of people to whom complaints should be addressed in this post. - Write a Wespeak
I seem to recall reading somewhere that Wespeaks will be published on the Argus website over the summer, but whether my memory is faulty or not, you can submit a Wespeak online here. - Contact Pernick and Carlin
Because they are the incoming President and Vice President of the WSA, they are going to be able to represent studnets in places/conversations/meetings where the rest of us can’t go–whether because we’re off campus or because there are too damn many of us. They were at the meeting this morning and I think they will also take accounts from students.
Your all so fucking smart and insightful. Maybe all of you should be lawyers.
Your all so fucking smart and insightful. Maybe all of you should be lawyers.
this is fucking awesome…
this is fucking awesome…
Everyone who was there should consider contacting the ACLU, especially if the police refused to give out badge numbers (which they’re required to do)
Everyone who was there should consider contacting the ACLU, especially if the police refused to give out badge numbers (which they’re required to do)
PSafe called Middletown police on us because some assholes threw bottles at them.
PSafe called Middletown police on us because some assholes threw bottles at them.
As disappointed as I am to be unable to film or record this, I do think that it gives students present a chance to be more candid.Roth asks for accounts to be sent to Dean Mike and himself (mroth@wes and whatever Dean Mike’s e-mail address is). Roth promises to keep the communication open and though we’re all leaving he will keep us informed.
As disappointed as I am to be unable to film or record this, I do think that it gives students present a chance to be more candid.
Roth asks for accounts to be sent to Dean Mike and himself (mroth@wes and whatever Dean Mike’s e-mail address is). Roth promises to keep the communication open and though we’re all leaving he will keep us informed.
has Roth commented on why Psafe called Middletown Police on us?
has Roth commented on why Psafe called Middletown Police on us?
Students were requesting information from police officers (names and badge numbers) to which the police responded inappropriately if at all. One student’s impression is that once some of the less-intoxicated students decided to start gathering information from the police, exercising their rights, that the police decided to leave at that time.Roth is again making a call for reports from students who were there, promising that he will follow up. He wants to get as many perspectives on the events as possible. The events last night were filmed, and the accounts from students can add context to the films. He made it clear that he wants to show that the tapes are being used properly.Dean Mike says that what will be most helpful is for students to have people who really have first hand accounts of different aspects of the events to be the ones to send the information. When an incident happens, a lot of the information that comes in is second and third hand. Every person should send in their own first hand account. Second hand accounts are much easier to dismiss.
Students were requesting information from police officers (names and badge numbers) to which the police responded inappropriately if at all. One student’s impression is that once some of the less-intoxicated students decided to start gathering information from the police, exercising their rights, that the police decided to leave at that time.
Roth is again making a call for reports from students who were there, promising that he will follow up. He wants to get as many perspectives on the events as possible. The events last night were filmed, and the accounts from students can add context to the films. He made it clear that he wants to show that the tapes are being used properly.
Dean Mike says that what will be most helpful is for students to have people who really have first hand accounts of different aspects of the events to be the ones to send the information. When an incident happens, a lot of the information that comes in is second and third hand. Every person should send in their own first hand account. Second hand accounts are much easier to dismiss.
its very helpful spazeboy, please keep us informed. I’m trying to get all my stuff moved out before noon so I don’t get charged so I can’t be there at the moment
its very helpful spazeboy, please keep us informed. I’m trying to get all my stuff moved out before noon so I don’t get charged so I can’t be there at the moment
Someone actually asked about whether students could throw a “block party” on Fountain, much like residents of other neighborhoods can do. One obstacle to that mentioned by Roth was that it is difficult to reconcile a planned block party with a spontaneous celebration. Obviously, events like the end of finals are totally predictable. Can a “block party” be organized without official sanction from the university? I don’t know.Sorry for the stream-of-consciousness stuff, but I hope it’s helpful.
Someone actually asked about whether students could throw a “block party” on Fountain, much like residents of other neighborhoods can do.
One obstacle to that mentioned by Roth was that it is difficult to reconcile a planned block party with a spontaneous celebration. Obviously, events like the end of finals are totally predictable. Can a “block party” be organized without official sanction from the university? I don’t know.
Sorry for the stream-of-consciousness stuff, but I hope it’s helpful.
Roth asks “Why last night?” and expressed his belief that the police should only be called in extraordinary circumstances.Students say that what made last night extraordinary was the presence of the police.Students are raising concerns about the police making it more difficult for students to disperse (not impossible, but more difficult) giving the impression that the police were eager for a confrontation.Roth asked one student for a report of his experience last night. I get the impression that he would welcome reports from other students, perhaps carbon copies of complaints to the police.
Roth asks “Why last night?” and expressed his belief that the police should only be called in extraordinary circumstances.
Students say that what made last night extraordinary was the presence of the police.
Students are raising concerns about the police making it more difficult for students to disperse (not impossible, but more difficult) giving the impression that the police were eager for a confrontation.
Roth asked one student for a report of his experience last night. I get the impression that he would welcome reports from other students, perhaps carbon copies of complaints to the police.
I was wondering, what if we would ask to have Fountain shut down, Have a police officer at each end to keep traffic out, and let us have our way, within reason.
I was wondering, what if we would ask to have Fountain shut down, Have a police officer at each end to keep traffic out, and let us have our way, within reason.
It’s a pretty informal Q&A, and a lot of the student concerns expressed are in regard to the use of force and pepper spray by the police on the entire crowd. Was the issue crowd dispersement, or was it to respond to the bottle(s) that were thrown? So far, there really aren’t any answers, but there are about 22 or so students down here and still seats available.
It’s a pretty informal Q&A, and a lot of the student concerns expressed are in regard to the use of force and pepper spray by the police on the entire crowd. Was the issue crowd dispersement, or was it to respond to the bottle(s) that were thrown?
So far, there really aren’t any answers, but there are about 22 or so students down here and still seats available.
Please post a summary or something. I can’t leave my room to come (stupid paper), but I want to know what he says.
Please post a summary or something. I can’t leave my room to come (stupid paper), but I want to know what he says.
Does that mean that University Relations hasn’t had time to come up with their media strategy yet?
Does that mean that University Relations hasn’t had time to come up with their media strategy yet?
WTF?! that’s so fucked up! blog it
WTF?! that’s so fucked up! blog it
I will not be allowed to video record this meeting. It’s occuring in south college lower level right now.
I will not be allowed to video record this meeting. It’s occuring in south college lower level right now.
i wouldn’t count on them to call you. check back
i wouldn’t count on them to call you. check back
Earlier posts were reporting 9am at South College. When I showed up at 8:20ish to set up my camera/computer, I was told that no time or place had been determined. I was also told that I would be called as soon as a time and place were determined.
9am south college
Earlier posts were reporting 9am at South College. When I showed up at 8:20ish to set up my camera/computer, I was told that no time or place had been determined. I was also told that I would be called as soon as a time and place were determined.
9am south college
when and where is the press conference/meeting occuring?
when and where is the press conference/meeting occuring?