Spring Break
Lefton, Ruller tout positive city, university relationship after riot
Christina Stavale
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
WATCH President Lefton's Thurdsay afternoon press conference.
WATCH an exclusive in-office interview with President Lefton.
READ Lefton's message to the university this week wherein he addresses last weekend's riot.
President Lester Lefton and City Manager Dave Ruller said they plan to look beyond this past weekend's events to continue a positive environment between the city and university.
As far as the rest of the semester is concerned, safety is their most important goal, the two said in a joint press conference yesterday afternoon.
"It's unfortunate that this past weekend a few students and some people from outside of the city came and created some disruptive behavior that escalated into a very difficult situation that involved the police," Lefton said.
Ruller said he and the rest of the city - which he considers the "extended family" of the university - was disappointed by the College Fest riots but is optimistic about the future.
"I'm confident that this is a blip on the radar screen; we'll learn from it what we can," Ruller said.
Moving forward, he said the city is ready for this weekend with more enforcement regulating the early evening hours, and he is hoping things will stay in moderation.
Lefton added that a task force is in the works to monitor crowd control and partying responsibly. Other universities have the same problems, he said, and that's why it's so important to look at possible solutions.
"We're not the only college town in America," Lefton said. "There are other college towns with lots of students and beer drinking and parties (that) tend to be problematic."
Lefton advised students to remember police are charged with enforcing the law, noting especially the open container and underage drinking laws.
Ruller said students should beware of people they don't know who come and crash their parties.
He also pointed out that Kent has limited resources in terms of its police and fire departments, and things like bonfires in the street can tie up critical resources if there were to be an emergency.
Lefton suggested possibly having a university-sponsored bonfire in an open field to allow students a safe way of having fun.
"Maybe we can find a field where we can say, 'Let's have a bonfire. Let's everybody come with wood, and let's everybody come with matches, and let's do it in a legal, safe, responsible way that doesn't involve alcohol,'" Lefton said.
Contact public affairs reporter Christina Stavale at cstavale@kent.edu.
WATCH an exclusive in-office interview with President Lefton.
READ Lefton's message to the university this week wherein he addresses last weekend's riot.
President Lester Lefton and City Manager Dave Ruller said they plan to look beyond this past weekend's events to continue a positive environment between the city and university.
As far as the rest of the semester is concerned, safety is their most important goal, the two said in a joint press conference yesterday afternoon.
"It's unfortunate that this past weekend a few students and some people from outside of the city came and created some disruptive behavior that escalated into a very difficult situation that involved the police," Lefton said.
Ruller said he and the rest of the city - which he considers the "extended family" of the university - was disappointed by the College Fest riots but is optimistic about the future.
"I'm confident that this is a blip on the radar screen; we'll learn from it what we can," Ruller said.
Moving forward, he said the city is ready for this weekend with more enforcement regulating the early evening hours, and he is hoping things will stay in moderation.
Lefton added that a task force is in the works to monitor crowd control and partying responsibly. Other universities have the same problems, he said, and that's why it's so important to look at possible solutions.
"We're not the only college town in America," Lefton said. "There are other college towns with lots of students and beer drinking and parties (that) tend to be problematic."
Lefton advised students to remember police are charged with enforcing the law, noting especially the open container and underage drinking laws.
Ruller said students should beware of people they don't know who come and crash their parties.
He also pointed out that Kent has limited resources in terms of its police and fire departments, and things like bonfires in the street can tie up critical resources if there were to be an emergency.
Lefton suggested possibly having a university-sponsored bonfire in an open field to allow students a safe way of having fun.
"Maybe we can find a field where we can say, 'Let's have a bonfire. Let's everybody come with wood, and let's everybody come with matches, and let's do it in a legal, safe, responsible way that doesn't involve alcohol,'" Lefton said.
Contact public affairs reporter Christina Stavale at cstavale@kent.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
40K EURO VACATION
posted 5/01/09 @ 1:41 PM EST
Lefton is in a corner now and doesnt know how to get out of it. Lefton its time for you to go.
Woody Woodrich
posted 5/01/09 @ 3:37 PM EST
Yep, Kent State students sure did us alumni proud with their riot/bonfire/statement. Woody Woodrich '68
:)
posted 5/04/09 @ 9:14 PM EST
Think of the new freshmen considering choosing KSU this fall...does this type of news help their(and their parent's) choice? It would be interesting to discover if the number of new students (as of May) decreases in past years as a result of this negative event. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 5/05/09 @ 12:12 AM EST
Aw...for gawd's sake, people!
Do we really need a 'history major' from the University to help provide the facts in this matter?
Chief Peach and his 'finest' already lost the last 'mass riot' they busted chops on! Let's see now, what was it? 11 out of 12 of the 'dam radicals' arrested last time had the balls to fight the charges brought against them and, guess what? The City of Kent's 'errors & ommissions' insurance, paid for by all law-abiding taxpayers in the City of Kent, wound up paying for the damages, eh?
Yo. (Continued…)
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