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The Big Thompson




 News - Wednesday, August 25, 2004

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CSU still guessing at reasons for rioting
Students cite boredom, alcohol, mob mentality


NikOlsen@coloradoan.com


Community outreach

Today, 100 volunteers from CSU and the city of Fort Collins will visit 25 different areas around campus that are known to be high-complaint areas.

It is part of the annual Community Welcome that teams a police officer with a CSU official or city staff member and a CSU student to knock on doors and speak with off-campus residents about how to be responsible members of the community.

The program was planned well in advance of last weekend's riots.

Reasons why some students start fires, tear down street signs and fight with police amid large off-campus gatherings are hard for university officials and community members to grasp.

Even for students dutifully attending their first week of classes just days after weekend riots, understanding the motivations of their peers is not easy.

Maybe it is boredom or thinking clouded by alcohol. Whatever the reason, Colorado State University has taken a zero-tolerance policy against anyone found participating in such disturbances.

CSU President Larry Penley issued a statement Tuesday condemning the riots and reassuring the community that the behavior of a few does not represent "the majority of honest, high-achieving students of character at Colorado State University."

He urged students not to risk their academic standing and their future by participating in "such senseless activities."

Five students arrested for their alleged actions during Saturday and Sunday riots have been suspended and await disciplinary hearings. More students might be implicated through CSU and Fort Collins police investigations -- including at least one man who might be a student whom police arrested Sunday. That investigation continues.

"Honestly, I think they are dumb," said Nicole Donnadio, 19, a sophomore biology major. "They get drunk, and they have nothing to do. They deserve to get tear-gassed."

Donnadio was at a house party in the area of Bluebell Street, the site of Sunday morning's riot involving almost 600 college-age people.

The crowd was more intent on violence, police say, than the estimated 1,500 involved in a riot Saturday morning on the 600 block of Howes Street.

Two CSU students were arrested during Sunday night's riot, which began about 1:15 a.m. One man was taken to the hospital after a bottle was broken on his head. A couch was burned, and trees and signs were torn down.

Three CSU students were arrested, and 12 noise violations were issued during the riot that began around 12:15 a.m. Saturday. There were no injuries reported, but a bonfire was started, and street signs were torn down and thrown. Large crowds form with greater ease these days because of a prevalence of cell phones, Donnadio suggested.

"People show up, call other people and tell them there is a keg there, and those people show up," she said.

Another student said the presence of police in riot gear might entice a few in the crowd to try to fight back in an "us vs. them" mentality.

"At big parties, when the cops show up, people get tense," said Chris Fritchman, a 23-year-old wildlife biology major.

Police have a job to do in that situation, he said, but combining police presence with bored, drunken students is a recipe for disaster.

"A lot of kids get into town with nothing to do," Fritchman said. "It's trouble when they all find each other. It hasn't affected me too much; I wasn't even in town. I bet the rest of the community doesn't think too highly of students in general right now."

There could be more trouble when CSU's football team takes on rival University of Colorado on Sept. 4, one student said.

"I think a mixture of booze and overexcitement (leads to riots) or being upset with the outcome of a football game," said 21-year-old construction management major Mike Froelich.

Alcohol is not to blame; it's the students who drink it and jump into the fracas who should shoulder responsibility of riots, another student said. "I'm not sure how much (alcohol) has to do with it," said psychology major Mary Blair, 19, a sophomore. "I think a group mentality is a huge reason."

That mob mentality leads to a perception that rioting is a popular thing to do, she said.

"I've overheard some people saying they were there during the riots," Blair said. "I roll my eyes."

Freshman William Head, 18, took a guess at why students find themselves involved in such situations." Because they have nothing better to do," Head said. "Maybe they aren't happy with the way their life is going."

Originally published Wednesday, August 25, 2004


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