University Responds in Community Forum of Understanding

By Ed Hayward and Leigh DuPuy

Against a backdrop of U.S. military action in Iraq, an altercation between a military recruiter, students, and an Africana Studies professor on April 3 resulted in the arrest of the professor by campus police and prompted university officials to hold a forum in the Ryan Lounge to discuss issues raised by the incident.

The arrest of adjunct faculty member Anthony Van Der Meer on charges of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest sparked an intense discussion about the presence of recruiters on campus, the role of university police, and the standards on campus for civil discourse.

Nearly 200 students, faculty and staff - as well as a number of individuals from outside the campus - attended the forum, which was moderated by Interim Dean of Students Angeline Lopes Ellison. A panel comprised of faculty, students and administrators, as well as Professor Van Der Meer, held an open discussion and then took questions and statements from the audience for 90 minutes.

"I hope today's discussion results in a greater understanding and respect for the roles we all play in this wonderful institution, whether as faculty, staff, students or chancellor,'' Chancellor Gora, who was out of town on university business, told the gathering in a statement read by David MacKenzie, vice chancellor for administration and finance.

"I further hope the forum provides a greater opportunity for civil discourse in turbulent times. A university is and should always be the place where the freedoms of speech and assembly guaranteed to all of us under the Constitution are sacred, welcome and respected," she added.

MacKenzie said he was disturbed by comments made by students who said they felt threatened or unsafe on campus. His sentiments were shared by Public Safety Chief Phillip O'Donnell, who also participated on the panel.

"Our primary purpose is to create an atmosphere in which people feel safe. We try very hard to do everything we possibly can to protect and serve," said O'Donnell, who added that arrest is the last option university police pursue.

He noted that out of 22,005 incidents logged by UMass Boston Police last year, officers made just 12 arrests. Of those, nearly half were based on outstanding warrants ordered by the court system.

Professor Van Der Meer, who pleaded not guilty to the charges in court, spoke briefly to the audience.

"I enjoy what I do, I enjoy teaching and having a safe environment where we have a right to speak," commented Professor Van Der Meer, who was joined on the panel by colleague Jemadari Kamara. "Everyone has different experiences and beliefs... I appreciate Chancellor Gora calling me to express her concern. This is my community. We can resolve this. Get beyond the 'other' and heal our society, heal our world."

Panelist Kevin Bowen, director of the William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences, addressed the underlying thread of Thursday's incident, the presence of Army National Guard recruiters on campus.

"People are expressing their opposition to war and saying that they don't feel safe," said Bowen. "I don't feel any of us feel safe right now. Polarization creates silences. It is an important step to find a way to coexist, deal with differences, and treat each other with respect."

By law, military recruiters are permitted on campuses that receive federal funding.

Students composed the largest group in the audience. Represented by Tarshar Moore and Fritz Hippolyte on the panel, dozens of students lined up to present their thoughts and reactions, addressing the crowd for two minutes apiece.

In an interview, the chancellor indicated her desire for the public safety office to recommit itself to the principles of community policing, adding: "As an educational community, we need to find alternatives to arrest whenever circumstances make that possible."

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