UNH Alumni Association Adds Its Support to Responsible Student Celebrations

Contact: Meg Torbert
603-862-0707
UNH Alumni Association

January 26, 2004



DURHAM, N.H. -- A resolution endorsing the actions by the University of New Hampshire administration to promote responsible student celebrations was passed unanimously by the Alumni Association’s board of directors Saturday, Jan. 17, at the board’s winter meeting.

Elibet Moore Chase, a 1981 graduate of UNH and president of the UNH Alumni Association board of directors, notes that the association’s position is “an important part of the unified response to these events coming from all leadership segments of the university. If the participants in the riots get a single unified message, they will begin to understand that there is no room for negotiation on this issue.”

In the statement, the board noted that the alumni association advocates for UNH and its alumni, and helps to promote the university’s historic land-grant mission of teaching, research and public service. As a result, the association and its board of directors are “dedicated to protecting and preserving the ideals and reputation which have made our alma mater one of the country’s top public institutions of higher learning.”

The board expressed its concern that “the student disturbances from last spring and again last fall bring great discredit to our University.” The resolution continues, “This behavior is not in keeping with the traditional ideals of a college learning and social environment and this behavior grossly violates our status as a good neighbor with the surrounding community.

“Therefore, be it resolved that the UNH Alumni Association Board of Directors endorses the actions taken by the University administration to promote, through prevention and intervention strategies, responsible behavior by members of the UNH community,” the resolution concludes.

The resolution is in response to the riots last spring and fall by UNH students and nonstudents in downtown Durham. Last fall, UNH students leaders organized the first-ever student-led summit promoting responsible celebrations, held Sept. 19-21, 2003. Actions taken by the UNH administration to curb further misconduct by UNH students includes suspensions, fines and other sanctions; a revision to student rules extending the purview of the student conduct process to crimes committed in the downtown area; letters to students and parents urging good citizenship and reiterating the consequences of illegal behavior; and planning for university-sponsored activities around campus during high-visibility weekends, such as homecoming.

The resolution in its entirety is below.

UNH Alumni Association Board of Directors
Jan. 17, 2004
Special Resolution in Support of Campus and Community Civility

The UNH Alumni Association advocates for both the University of New Hampshire and its alumni and promotes the University’s historic land-grant mission of teaching, research and public service. Through its programs and services, the Alumni Association develops a spirit of loyalty to the University, engaging and serving alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff, and the public. As such, the Alumni Association and its Board of Directors are dedicated to protecting and preserving the ideals and reputation which have made our alma mater one of the country’s top public institutions of higher learning.

The Board of Directors is concerned that the student disturbances from last spring and again last fall bring great discredit to our University. This behavior is not in keeping with the traditional ideals of a college learning and social environment and this behavior grossly violates our status as a good neighbor with the surrounding community.

Therefore, be it resolved that the UNH Alumni Association Board of Directors endorses the actions taken by the University administration to promote, through prevention and intervention strategies, responsible behavior by members of the UNH community.