James Madison U. President Assails Student Rioters as an 'Embarrassment'

The president of James Madison University has told students on the Virginia campus that their "collective behavior" at an off-campus event that turned into a riot on Saturday was "an embarrassment to your university and a discredit to our reputation." In an e-mail message, the president, Linwood H. Rose, assailed students who attended the event, called Springfest, and engaged in property destruction, public drunkenness, and personal threats. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, more than 30 people were arrested when the police tried to break up the festival, which usually attracts 1,000 to 2,000 attendees but on Saturday drew 8,000, some from other campuses and even out of state.

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Comments

1. blue_state_academic - April 12, 2010 at 04:57 pm

Maybe This American Life can now do a story about partying at JMU.

2. 22086364 - April 12, 2010 at 05:40 pm

I think President Rose's memo is well-reasoned and moderate in tone. Actually, I think the word "assail" is a bit of an overstatement; instead of "assailing" students, Rose is saying that the behavior of some students was unacceptable, and that it brought discredit to the school and displeasure to its neighbors. Both are fair comments, expressed in a pretty mild way. I admire the restraint.

3. koufax33 - April 13, 2010 at 09:54 am

If you goto the Richmond Times article, there is a You Tube link in the comments section showing the riots (or just find it on You Tube directly). It's rather disturbing to watch all the property damage and potential injury (you see dozens of glass bottles hurled). I agree with comment #2, well-restrained. I hope they find some of these people (who may or may not be JMU students, or students at any college for that matter). I'd love to see a follow-up article in the Chronicle about this..

4. jmudad2012 - April 13, 2010 at 11:25 am

My daughter is a JMU student. Although she fortunately had avoided the off campus scene of the incidents, she did say that one person (possibly a JMU student) lost sight in one eye due to a thrown missile (probably a bottle). She also confirmed reports that most of the trouble was started by non-students. My question is this: When are colleges going to draw the line on the partying and drinking? Underage drinking is ILLEGAL, so why doesn't law enforcement enforce those laws more actively on campuses? The drinking is the #1 cause of such behavior and others, such as the sexual misbehavior that is rampant.

5. rmelton5 - April 13, 2010 at 01:58 pm

#4, I think it's strange that you lump drinking and "rampant sexual misbehavior" together. I agree that sexual behavior that results from too much drinking isn't good and, if coercive, illegal. But having sex per se shouldn't be put in the same category as underage drinking. Whether with multiple partners or in serially monogamous relationships, it is legal to have sex at age 18, and 99% of college students are at least 18.

6. kyle43 - April 14, 2010 at 09:52 am

To Number 4, you ask "When are colleges going to draw the line on partying and drinking?" I ask you, when are PARENTS going to draw the line on partying and drinking. Universities and colleges get their students when they are 18 typically. Mom and dad have had them for 18 years. Do your part and partner with institutions on healthy behavior. Colleges and universities have made gallant efforts in this area for 20 years. But,as a former dean of students, I cannot begin to tell you how many parents when contacted about my concerns told me I was wrong, their son or daughter does not have a drinking problem, or that it was none of my business that their child was drinking.