A few thoughts today regarding Mifflin. If you haven't read, Mifflin Block Party is now without an official sponsor.
My first real Mifflin was last year, and my best memory of that day (how many of you can remember your Mifflin?) was chilling on a second-story porch with a few friends, the sun just starting to set, and the music from a band drifting in from across the street and two doors down. The band was playing classic rock, which is far and away my music preference over rap or newer things. We were mostly people watching, and something struck me (not literally).
Nearly every confrontation between an individual and a police officer ended in handcuffs and a nice sit in the Metro Prison Bus. While a great source of entertainment to me, I'm now wondering "why?"
Without sponsorship this year, I'm guessing police presence will be pretty high. High enough where you could probably commit a crime anywhere in Dane County outside of those two blocks on Mifflin, because that's where every cop will be.
Since we don't really want to see the high arrest levels we've seen before, but we don't want to compromise safety, here's an idea: don't end everything with an arrest.
Since 2004, MPD policy has been to arrest first, then either cite the offender or take them to jail or detox, or both. The problem is, that many of these people sit handcuffed in either the Prison Bus or the local precinct while the police file paperwork. It takes forever, because there's not enough manpower to go through all the work. So, a new approach is probably necessary.
I say, cite first. Open intoxicant? You get the booze taken away, and issued a maximum-fine citation right then and there (that's about $500, I think). Since you need to carry that slip on you so you can pay it later, if you get caught again, then you get arrested. Obviously, those who are a danger to themselves or others need to be cuffed immediately.
I think a plan along these lines, a "catch-and-release" so to speak, will work and provide a number of benefits.
1) Students are a little more wary of a major fine, because they often can't afford to pay.
2) Student resentment of police will be lower if fewer arrests are made.
3) Fewer people will be sitting for five or six hours in handcuffs, and those in handcuffs can be processed faster.
Hopefully, something along these lines can create a more peaceful Mifflin Block Party. But I'm not an expert on this topic, so take it for what it's worth.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
What Matters?
So, apparently people read this blog other than myself. That's quite a surprise.
Question: What issues matter to you, as a student, or as a resident of the state of Wisconsin?
Question: What issues matter to you, as a student, or as a resident of the state of Wisconsin?
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Thought on Recent Sigma Chi Developments
As reported in the Badger Herald this evening, Sigma Chi has been suspended pending investigation of an "alleged alcohol related incident."
It's not my place to comment on the investigation, but a lot of commentary on the Herald has actually moved me to establish a comment account on their website (so, no longer will I be 'Anonymous'). I'd like to address some of the general themes of those comments here. It's similar to what I wrote on the Herald site, so pardon me for repeating myself a bit.
"I bet UW was just waiting around for them to fuck up and now they'll punish them very, very harshly."
This is pretty likely. When a fraternity has already gained considerable attention from the the press for alleged law-breaking, the University is going to keep a very close eye on that organization in the hopes that the occurence was a one-and-done. Sigma Chi should not be surpised that they were under the microscope, whether they believed it was just or not.
"How can a group not officially charged with any misconduct get suspended from campus?"
Suspension is not removal. Please recognize the difference. Sigma Chi can't hold events on campus or reserve space on campus property (their house on Langdon is not on campus). So they can't hold ultimate frisbee tournements near the Natatorium, and it would be very unwise for them to hold any social event at their house (even though that power is, I believe, delegated to the Interfraternity Council). Removal is when the University and IFC says, "Game Over." They close the house and disband the chapter. ZBT, in the '80s, was suspended during the investigation into their mock slave auction before it was removed. So, we know that this practice is common when the University is investigating; it's not just because the fraternity in question is Sigma Chi. This is really for their own sake than the University, to protect them from public reactions that may go wrong. Unfortunately for Sigma Chi, it seems like removal may come in due time.
"i think every big frat is in trouble for drinking/partying violations right now."
I'm in no position to say who is and who is not in trouble for violations. But if that allegation (there's that word again) is true, then it may belie a larger problem. Why are Greeks getting in more trouble than other house parties? Is there something different going on at their parties that makes these more attractive to attention? More people? Heavier drinking? Illegal acts? Perhaps an independent investigation, by a third party, is warranted.
"When are these reporters going to learn about some responsible journalism? And when is the deans office going to learn that punishing an organization based on an anonymous accusation isn't just, fair or appropriate?"
I have not seen anything irresponsible in the article in question. It was a pretty clear-cut article of what happened, what the suspension is, a quote from an official involved, and a copy of the UW Communication. Opinions not included. As for anonymous accusations, in a community that is as tight-knit as the Greeks, such anonymous tipsters are necessary when retribution and ostracization from the community are very real possibilities. Anyone reporting a wrongdoing should be protected from reprisal. If they turned out to be flat-out lying, then the University should deal with that person (Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor, no?) I think in this instance anonymity is completely fair and appropriate. As for just, well, we'll have to see what the investigation brings.
"Sigma Chi just raised THOUSANDS of dollars for charity last week. Why is that not news?"
I made reference to this in my comment on the article's webposting. Greeks constantly talk about their charity work. The public expects their fraternities and sororities to raise charity and participate in philanthropic activities because it is a long-standing tradition of those organizations, and frequently used as an enticement to join. Essentially, why would a group doing what we expect them to do be considered news? It'd be like reporting that a power company supplied power to all of their customers today. That's not newsworthy. Now, charity work only becomes newsworthy when a) a HUGE amount is raised, or b) no money is raised. If they raised THOUSANDS of dollars, I ask "exactly how many thousands?" Sigma Chi is a large fraternity on campus, and it would be relatively easy to raise two or three thousand dollars. Raise ten thousand dollars in one day by yourselves, now we're talking news. Like I said, announce that your fraternity is not doing any charity events this year, and watch the reporters flock to your door.
Also, remember, "if it bleeds, it leads." Newspapers get more readers when their stories are about murders and rapes and crimes, not adopting puppies. Sad fact, but the truth.
"Why is it that the BH is rushing to throw this 'article' as front page breaking news when the Cardinal isn't doing so?"
Today's Wisconsin State Journal headline is about a historic building at Mendota Mental Health. The Capital Times headline is not (existant, because they're almost wholly online). Different papers operate on different schedules and in different ways. The Badger Herald clearly puts a lot of weight into making their website very up-to-the-minute and accessible. The Daily Cardinal seems content on duplicating the articles of the day onto their website and only that. It doesn't mean one paper thinks this event is newsworthy more than the other, it merely means that the two papers have different ways of going about things and different priorities. I wager that we'll see the Sigma Chi story on the Cardinal site tomorrow, but it doesn't mean that they care any less or took any more time to actually research the story than the Herald did.
"Since when does a fraternity's alcohol violation deserve to be a top headline?"
Since it's only been a little more than a month that this same fraternity was in the papers facing rape allegations. See my previous points for why it became news.
In summary, I'm hoping that one or both of the papers will cover this investigation closely and keep the readers up to speed on developments. Both papers really dropped the ball regarding the alleged rape, and have provided no new news since that initial week. If people are to understand the entire story, it must be covered from beginning to end. We'll see what happens, but hopefully my thoughts here have covered most of the commentary that we'll probably see on this story.
It's not my place to comment on the investigation, but a lot of commentary on the Herald has actually moved me to establish a comment account on their website (so, no longer will I be 'Anonymous'). I'd like to address some of the general themes of those comments here. It's similar to what I wrote on the Herald site, so pardon me for repeating myself a bit.
"I bet UW was just waiting around for them to fuck up and now they'll punish them very, very harshly."
This is pretty likely. When a fraternity has already gained considerable attention from the the press for alleged law-breaking, the University is going to keep a very close eye on that organization in the hopes that the occurence was a one-and-done. Sigma Chi should not be surpised that they were under the microscope, whether they believed it was just or not.
"How can a group not officially charged with any misconduct get suspended from campus?"
Suspension is not removal. Please recognize the difference. Sigma Chi can't hold events on campus or reserve space on campus property (their house on Langdon is not on campus). So they can't hold ultimate frisbee tournements near the Natatorium, and it would be very unwise for them to hold any social event at their house (even though that power is, I believe, delegated to the Interfraternity Council). Removal is when the University and IFC says, "Game Over." They close the house and disband the chapter. ZBT, in the '80s, was suspended during the investigation into their mock slave auction before it was removed. So, we know that this practice is common when the University is investigating; it's not just because the fraternity in question is Sigma Chi. This is really for their own sake than the University, to protect them from public reactions that may go wrong. Unfortunately for Sigma Chi, it seems like removal may come in due time.
"i think every big frat is in trouble for drinking/partying violations right now."
I'm in no position to say who is and who is not in trouble for violations. But if that allegation (there's that word again) is true, then it may belie a larger problem. Why are Greeks getting in more trouble than other house parties? Is there something different going on at their parties that makes these more attractive to attention? More people? Heavier drinking? Illegal acts? Perhaps an independent investigation, by a third party, is warranted.
"When are these reporters going to learn about some responsible journalism? And when is the deans office going to learn that punishing an organization based on an anonymous accusation isn't just, fair or appropriate?"
I have not seen anything irresponsible in the article in question. It was a pretty clear-cut article of what happened, what the suspension is, a quote from an official involved, and a copy of the UW Communication. Opinions not included. As for anonymous accusations, in a community that is as tight-knit as the Greeks, such anonymous tipsters are necessary when retribution and ostracization from the community are very real possibilities. Anyone reporting a wrongdoing should be protected from reprisal. If they turned out to be flat-out lying, then the University should deal with that person (Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor, no?) I think in this instance anonymity is completely fair and appropriate. As for just, well, we'll have to see what the investigation brings.
"Sigma Chi just raised THOUSANDS of dollars for charity last week. Why is that not news?"
I made reference to this in my comment on the article's webposting. Greeks constantly talk about their charity work. The public expects their fraternities and sororities to raise charity and participate in philanthropic activities because it is a long-standing tradition of those organizations, and frequently used as an enticement to join. Essentially, why would a group doing what we expect them to do be considered news? It'd be like reporting that a power company supplied power to all of their customers today. That's not newsworthy. Now, charity work only becomes newsworthy when a) a HUGE amount is raised, or b) no money is raised. If they raised THOUSANDS of dollars, I ask "exactly how many thousands?" Sigma Chi is a large fraternity on campus, and it would be relatively easy to raise two or three thousand dollars. Raise ten thousand dollars in one day by yourselves, now we're talking news. Like I said, announce that your fraternity is not doing any charity events this year, and watch the reporters flock to your door.
Also, remember, "if it bleeds, it leads." Newspapers get more readers when their stories are about murders and rapes and crimes, not adopting puppies. Sad fact, but the truth.
"Why is it that the BH is rushing to throw this 'article' as front page breaking news when the Cardinal isn't doing so?"
Today's Wisconsin State Journal headline is about a historic building at Mendota Mental Health. The Capital Times headline is not (existant, because they're almost wholly online). Different papers operate on different schedules and in different ways. The Badger Herald clearly puts a lot of weight into making their website very up-to-the-minute and accessible. The Daily Cardinal seems content on duplicating the articles of the day onto their website and only that. It doesn't mean one paper thinks this event is newsworthy more than the other, it merely means that the two papers have different ways of going about things and different priorities. I wager that we'll see the Sigma Chi story on the Cardinal site tomorrow, but it doesn't mean that they care any less or took any more time to actually research the story than the Herald did.
"Since when does a fraternity's alcohol violation deserve to be a top headline?"
Since it's only been a little more than a month that this same fraternity was in the papers facing rape allegations. See my previous points for why it became news.
In summary, I'm hoping that one or both of the papers will cover this investigation closely and keep the readers up to speed on developments. Both papers really dropped the ball regarding the alleged rape, and have provided no new news since that initial week. If people are to understand the entire story, it must be covered from beginning to end. We'll see what happens, but hopefully my thoughts here have covered most of the commentary that we'll probably see on this story.
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