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UNH President Urges Responsible
Conduct During Playoffs
Contact: Kim Billings
603-862-1558
UNH Media Relations
Oct. 6, 2004
The following letter was sent from UNH President Ann Weaver Hart
to college and university presidents at University of Southern Maine,
University of New England, Hesser College, McIntosh College, Chester
College of New England, Daniel Webster College, NH Institute of
Art, NH Technical Institute, NH Community Technical Colleges, Saint
Anselm College and Southern New Hampshire University. It was also
sent to superintendents in the following school districts: Oyster
River Cooperative School District, SAU #5, SAU # 8 (Concord), SAU
# 11 (Dover), SAU # 14 (Epping-Chester), SAU # 16 (Exeter, Newfields),
SAU # 21 (Hampton, Seabrook), SAU # 37 (Manchester), SAU # 50 (Rye,
Newington), SAU # 52 (Portsmouth), SAU # 54 (Rochester) and SAU
# 56 (Somersworth).
As every New Englander knows by now, the Boston Red Sox have clinched
a spot in the American League playoffs, and we are quickly approaching
that uniquely emotional time, Red Sox playoff season. In the recent
past, this has been a time of some difficulty for the Durham community,
with young people choosing to exploit the outcome of these games
as an opportunity to behave recklessly and, in some instances, to
violate state law. While many of these individuals were students
of the University of New Hampshire, others had come to Durham specifically
to watch playoff games and to participate in the aftermath. I am
writing to ask you to join me in encouraging the students of both
of our institutions to act responsibly during the Red Sox playoff
games, win or lose.
The success of the Red Sox is, without question, cause for celebration,
and we all hope that this will, at long last, be “The Year”
for Red Sox fans. Over the past year, the UNH community, students
and administration alike, has made great strides in promoting responsible
celebrations that respect the other members of the Durham community.
Nonetheless, some will no doubt see this time as an opportunity
to engage in negative behavior, and we must be prepared for this
eventuality.
Members of the UNH and Durham communities are now planning a coordinated
response to any incidents related to these games. I ask you to communicate
to your students that the best choice for them is to watch these
games in their home communities and to celebrate or mourn the outcomes
of the games in responsible ways.
Young adults who choose to come to Durham for the games will be
held accountable for their actions in the same way that UNH students
will be held accountable, and any individual who breaks the law
will be arrested and prosecuted. I am hopeful that you will also
be willing to join us and emphasize that your institution will take
action under your code of conduct against students who travel to
Durham and behave irresponsibly. As the terrible events in Boston
last January following the Patriots’ victory in the Super
Bowl reminded us, there are no by-standers and no one is immune
when crowds get out of control and become violent.
Please let me know if you would like more information about our
plans for playoff season. With luck, we will all be able to share
in positive celebrations all the way to the World Series. Go Red
Sox!
Best wishes,
Ann Weaver Hart
President
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