Evergreen president on riots: 'It's a real wake-up call'

By Venice Buhain | The Olympian • Published February 16, 2008

OLYMPIA – The president of The Evergreen State College expects the school to review procedures for campus events such as the hip-hop concert that ended with a riot early Friday.

"It's a real wake-up call," Evergreen President Les Purce said. "Perhaps what's worked for us in the past is what now needs to be reviewed."

The college has a procedure for requesting space for concerts, readings and other events, but there isn't a rule for how much security is required for events such as Thursday night's concert that attracted more than 800 people, said Art Costantino, college vice president for student affairs.

Student organizations work with the student activities office to arrange security, technical support and other services, he said.

The production report and worksheet for campus events ask about costs and technical needs, but not about security, nor do they require student organizations to explain whether crowd control will be needed.

The forms filled out by Hip Hop Congress, the student club that organized the concert, lists a budget for hiring performers, ticket prices, and the number of expected concertgoers, but no description of security needs. The student club provided its own volunteer security. The one campus police officer on duty was called after a fight broke out.

Costantino said there would usually be one or two officers on duty at 2 a.m. on a weeknight, and that Thurston County sheriff's deputies are called when backup is necessary.

Purce said that as the campus gets larger and more prominent, events attract people regionally "that is not in tune with our culture."

"It's easy to get lulled in a place that is a calm, gentle place," Purce said. "Clearly, we need to review our procedures."

Rozell Townsend, an Evergreen student and a member of Hip Hop Congress, welcomed discussion about reviewing Evergreen's procedures.

"I think there could be stricter policies or more security presence," he said.

Townsend said the concert was mostly positive, except for the closing minutes.

"Evergreen showed a lot of love," he said.

The college also plans a community forum with administrators and the Geoduck Union, its associated student body organization, to discuss safety, police response and other issues at noon Tuesday, though the location was not finalized. The event would be publicized through campus e-mail.

"I conveyed my thank you to the sheriff's office, and we are working with them on the property they lost," Purce said.

Venice Buhain covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5445 or vbuhain@theolympian.com.