“Starting fires, throwing bottles, cans and other objects, getting on top of vehicles and roofs, behaving in a disorderly or disrespectful way and breaking the law is not community. It is not responsible celebration. It is not UD.”
From letter UD’s administration sent to students
Law enforcement will be highly visible near the University of Dayton campus tonight to guard against excessive party behavior after the Dayton Flyers hit the court during their NCAA Sweet 16 tournament appearance.
“The behavior really dictates police response,” said Bruce Burt, UD’s director of Public Safety. “We are really just encouraging our students to enjoy the moment, get out there and celebrate, but celebrate responsibly, meaning complying with the law, as well as our student code of conduct.”
The issue of public safety is highlighted following the incidents that occurred after UD’s 55-53 upset over Syracuse University on Saturday. Burt said five people were arrested, including four students.
In addition to the arrests, five people had minor injuries and another person was transported to the hospital with an injury. Several cars on Kiefaber Street were damaged. Three fires were quickly extinguished.
Students are being told to refrain from similar behavior tonight, when the Dayton Flyers play Stanford at 7:15 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn.
Because of reports that high school students were among those who gathered near campus after Saturday;’s game, police are urging parents to keep underage children away from the campus celebrations, Dayton Police Major Brian Johns said.
All UD students will be receiving a letter warning them not to engage in disorderly behavior. “Starting fires, throwing bottles, cans and other objects, getting on top of vehicles and roofs, behaving in a disorderly or disrespectful way and breaking the law is not community,” the letter states. “It is not responsible celebration. It is not UD.”
The letter — from William Fischer, vice president for Student Development; and Christine Schramm, associate vice-president for Student Development and Dean of Students — also instructs students that the uniforms and protective gear worn by law enforcement are “not an indication of excessive force.”
UD students cited or arrested could face significant consequences, according to Cilla Shindell, UD’s director of Media Relations.
Saturday’s post-game activities netted a total of seven referrals to the university’s disciplinary system, according to Shindell. Four of those referrals were for disorderly behavior, one was for resisting arrest and disorderly behavior, one was for underage alcohol consumption and another for assaulting a police officer.
“Students who violated the law or our University code of conduct may face sanctions including fines, educational programs, loss of merit scholarships, disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion,” Shindell said. “In addition to facing court charges, students who are arrested also are charged through the disciplinary system, so they face consequences through both.”
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