By
Kevin Clerici
Arizona Daily Wildcat
University of Arizona president Peter Likins is backing off from his proposal to amend the student code of conduct to make it easier to discipline students involved in off-campus violence.
Yet, he's still committed to identifying those responsible for rioting that occurred on North Fourth Avenue following Arizona's loss in the April 2 NCAA title game.
"Our legal counsel has told us that the code as written permits us to deal with violence that endangers others, even if it's off campus," he said. "I didn't understand at the beginning that we had that authority."
After the riot, Likins called rioters "thugs" and "sick individuals," and asked the Dean of Students Office to explore changing the student code of conduct to include more off-campus offenses.
"Now that I know that we have authority, the (Arizona Board of Regents) have discussed the matter and see no reason to change the policy," Likins said.
The regents set policy for the UA and the state's other two universities. The code already prohibits off-campus violence that presents a danger to the UA community.
Yet, there was some question as to if the code gave the university jurisdiction to hold students accountable for riotous acts on North Fourth Avenue.
"It says we can," said Associate Dean of Students Veda Hunn. "It absolutely gives us jurisdiction."
Seven university students were arrested April 2, but none were arrested for aggravated assault or other felonies related to violence.
The dean of students office is still gathering information into whether any students are responsible for some of the more serious violence - five vehicles were overturned and a Winnebago was lit on fire.
"The code addresses issues concerning violence that places other students in harm's way," Hunn said. "To penalize a student, that individual's behavior must meet the criteria of violent behavior.
"Turning over a car and setting it on fire - that is violent behavior."
Dean of Students Melissa Vito said policing students for off-campus violations is difficult.
The administration must discern whether the violent act is sufficient to conclude that the individual's conduct presents a danger to the campus community.
Then there is the touchy subject of the university's power to place penalties on off-campus behavior.
"I think we are in a time where people are looking at the university to control student behavior," Vito said. "We also have a strong need to develop students as whole people and good citizens who don't go out and destroy property."
"The university has every right to penalize these individuals," said Suman Dhaka, a computer engineering senior. "I was pleased to see the university's response."
"The university should be concerned about the school's reputation and the way they come off to the rest of the city," veterinary science freshman Patti Slater said, noting that images of North Fourth Avenue on fire were broadcast around the country. "If the university didn't make an immediate response, then they are basically saying it's OK."
Pre-business freshman Byron Hess disagrees.
"Off campus is off campus," he said.
"Say I did a crime and went to jail for it," he said. "I do my time and when I get out I want to finish my education and (the university) prevents me from doing it. They would be penalizing me again, and that would be dumb."
Look at how businesses handle similar situations, suggested Suzanne Cummins, a former attorney and UA lecturer in the Eller College of Business's management and policy department.
"If you are under my employment and you commit a crime," she said, "and it's on the front page of the paper and on all the news channels, and image is important - you are so unemployed."
The university's reputation is at stake and making sure people feel safe on campus is crucial, she added.
"I don't want the bad guys around if they deter the good guys from coming," Cummins said.
"The dean of students office is not a part of the police. We didn't make arrests," Hunn said. "But I do think it's appropriate to look at the university to see our participation in the solution.
"I think this is an opportunity to prepare for the future. We all have a responsibility."
