University, city announce task force to study riots

COLUMBUS – Ohio State University President Karen A. Holbrook and Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman today announced the creation of the Task Force on Preventing Celebratory Riots, designed to study the root causes of, and seek solutions to, the socially destructive, alcohol-fueled behavior that has occurred recently in off-campus neighborhoods.

“Senseless mob behavior has multiple causes and involves a range of participants,” Holbrook said. “We have the expertise right here on our campus and in our community to bring useful and diverse perspectives to analyzing root causes and recommending solutions. We will set an aggressive timetable and devote the resources necessary to enable the task force to be thorough, timely and successful in carrying out its work.,”

The task force is charged with completing its work by April 7, 2003.

“The excessive use of alcohol by young people, whether to celebrate a sports victory or the end of final exams, has led to far too much senseless destruction in our neighborhoods near campus,” Coleman said. “Our goal is to bring local leaders together with national expertise to find a lasting solution that keeps our neighborhoods safe.”

The task force, comprised of university faculty, students and staff and city and community officials, will be led by David Andrews, dean of the university’s College of Human Ecology.

Andrews has spent the last 21 years developing, implementing, evaluating and administering programs designed to enhance family and individual development. He has focused his research efforts on programs aimed at helping high-risk youth. Most recently, he was instrumental in creating the Center for Learning Excellence, which supports Ohio’s Alternative Education Challenge Grant Program and other programs for high-risk youth and is associated with the university’s John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy.

The task force will be broadly representative of the campus and the community. It includes student leaders; faculty with professional expertise in psychiatry, psychology and educational policy; campus area landlords; and representatives from citizen organizations, behavioral health services, and public safety as well as The Hon. Thomas J. Moyer, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court; and Mike Mentel, Chair of the Columbus City Council Safety Committee.

The product of the task force’s work will be a report and recommendations to include identifying preventive measures and behavior-changing strategies and a menu of deterrents and consequences for those who participate in dangerous and unlawful activity. The task force will be charged with:

1. Identifying and articulating the body of knowledge related to preventing antisocial and violent behaviors on campuses;

2. Drawing upon the expertise of those closest to this body of knowledge, both on campus and throughout the United States;

3. Examining the effectiveness of prevention/intervention efforts, especially peer-to-peer strategies; and

4. Constructing a set of guidelines and policies that would facilitate the effectiveness of local responses.

Andrews said it is likely that the entire task force will be broken into work groups that might focus on alcohol, including availability, open container laws and binge drinking; media influences and responses; peer influences and responses; university regulations and sanctions; community policing and law enforcement; and others to be determined.

The full list of the task force follows.

Task Force Members

Chair: David Andrews, Dean, College of Human Ecology, The Ohio State University

Vernon Baisden, Director of Public Safety, The Ohio State University

Constance Boehm, Assistant Director, Student Wellness, Student Health Services, The Ohio State University

Mitchell Brown, Director of Public Safety, City of Columbus

Kim Carmine, Central Beverage

Briggs Cormier, President, Council of Graduate Students, The Ohio State University

Deborah Countiss, Cochran Public Relations

Don DeVere, President, Indianola Forest Association and resident of university district

Walter Distelzweig, Deputy Chief, City of Columbus, Division of Police

Louise Douce, Director, Counseling and Consultation Services, The Ohio State University

Amy Edwards, Senior Vice President of Communications, ADAMH Board of Franklin County

Mabel Freeman, Assistant Vice President, Undergraduate Admissions and First-Year Experience, The Ohio State University

Wayne Garland, Buckeye Real Estate

Professor Stephen Gavazzi, Department of Human Development and Family Science, College of Human Ecology, The Ohio State University

Andy Geiger, Director of Athletics, The Ohio State University

Pasquale Grado, Executive Director, University Community Business Association

Nidhi Gupta, professional student, Inter-professional Council, The Ohio State University

Bill Hall, Vice President for Student Affairs, The Ohio State University

Ron Hupman, President, University Area Commission

Cheryl Keeler, Regional Director, AFSCME, Ohio Council 8

Brad Lander, Ph.D., Clinical Director, OSU Addiction Medicine at Talbot Hall

Ty Marsh, Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office, City of Columbus

Mike Mentel, Chair, Columbus City Council Safety Committee

Professor Raymond Montemayor, Department of Psychology, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, The Ohio State University

Professor William Morgan, School of Educational Policy and Leadership, College of Education, The Ohio State University

The Honorable Thomas J. Moyer, Chief Justice, Ohio Supreme Court

Eddie Pauline, President, Undergraduate Student Government, The Ohio State University

Chantel Porter, Undergraduate student, The Ohio State University

Rebecca Price, Undergraduate student, The Ohio State University

John Reilly, Associate Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs, The Ohio State University

Barbara Rich, Assistant Vice President, Office of Student Affairs, The Ohio State University

Pat Steane, Property Manager, Kohr-Royer-Griffin Realtors

Steve Sterrett, Community Relations Director, Campus Partners

Jim Stowe, Executive Director, Community Relations Commission, City of Columbus

Katie Virtue, Undergraduate student, The Ohio State University

Professor Melanye White-Dixon, Department of Dance, College of the Arts, and faculty member of Athletic Council, The Ohio State University

Ex officio members:

President Karen A. Holbrook, The Ohio State University

Mayor Michael Coleman, City of Columbus