Student leaders are asking Prince George’s County Police, university administrators, city officials and students to meet in a forum within the next three weeks to discuss the possibility of university-sanctioned postgame celebrations.
Many students continue to criticize county police tactics used during Saturday night’s celebratory riot, though county police officials have repeatedly refused to discuss their procedures.
Student Government Association President Aaron Kraus said at least 40 students have approached him since the riot feeling outraged with police and baffled by the lack of support from administrators and national media.
Vice President for Student Affairs Linda Clement said she has received many e-mails from students and alumni who were upset by what they saw Saturday night.
Clement had gone to Route 1 to observe the celebrations and said she was “disturbed” by what she saw.
“When you get a crowd of that size together, it’s kind of scary,” she said.
In recent years, the university’s name has become synonymous with riots following big wins, and administrators, alumni and some students have decried the celebrations as unnecessary.
Kraus said he watched as thousands of students flooded downtown College Park following the Terrapin men’s basketball team’s seven-point overtime win over Duke University and added, “I saw police generally being overaggressive.”
Kraus sent an e-mail yesterday to county police officials asking them to participate in a forum he hopes will give the student body answers about the use of police force and bring fresh ideas for a riot-free postgame celebrations.
Students flooded Kraus with Web postings, e-mails and one-on-one discussions about how to satisfy revelers without causing physical damage to the city and tarnishing the university’s image.
Some suggested having bonfires on Fraternity Row or having a small concert in Cole Field House in place of riots, Kraus said.
Clement said that in recent years the university has tried to provide another outlet for celebrations following benchmark wins, such as hiring bands and shooting off fireworks, but none seemed to deter revelers from rushing Route 1.
Police arrested 14 people during the riot — half of them students — and charges ranged from assault to disorderly conduct. One student was rushed to the hospital after police shot him in the cheek with a pepper ball, leaving shards of plastic in his face until medical technicians removed it and closed the wound with 40 stitches.
Kraus said he witnessed police using excessive force and wanted the public forum to allow students, police and administration officials to discuss what happened Saturday night and how to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“But the point has to be made that students can’t be there without taking responsibility [for their actions],” he said.
