Michigan State University student riot
Encyclopedia
Notable Michigan State University student riots occurred during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
in East Lansing, Michigan
on the night of March 27, 1999. Following a loss by MSU's basketball team to Duke University
in the NCAA
Final Four
, between 5,000 and 10,000 students and non-students gathered throughout the outside of campus. Later assessments of damages range from $250,000 to near $500,000. 132 people were arrested, including 71 students.
A number of news media organizations captured footage of the riot. The Ingham County prosecutor’s office issued subpoenas for this footage; the Lansing State Journal
refused to comply and ten other organizations followed suit. Michigan’s shield law
was at issue. The case wound its way through the state court system. In September 2000 the Michigan Supreme Court
upheld their right to withhold the recordings.
As a result of this riot, a state law was passed giving judges the discretion to bar students convicted of rioting from public colleges for up to two years.
1999 riot
A riot took place on and around the campus of Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
on the night of March 27, 1999. Following a loss by MSU's basketball team to Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
in the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
, between 5,000 and 10,000 students and non-students gathered throughout the outside of campus. Later assessments of damages range from $250,000 to near $500,000. 132 people were arrested, including 71 students.
A number of news media organizations captured footage of the riot. The Ingham County prosecutor’s office issued subpoenas for this footage; the Lansing State Journal
Lansing State Journal
The Lansing State Journal is a daily newspaper published in Lansing, Michigan owned by Gannett.-Overview:The Lansing State Journal is the sole daily newspaper published in metropolitan Lansing...
refused to comply and ten other organizations followed suit. Michigan’s shield law
Shield law
A shield law or reporters' privilege is legislation designed to provide a news reporter with the right to refuse to testify as to information and/or sources of information obtained during the news gathering and dissemination process.-Definition:...
was at issue. The case wound its way through the state court system. In September 2000 the Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
upheld their right to withhold the recordings.
As a result of this riot, a state law was passed giving judges the discretion to bar students convicted of rioting from public colleges for up to two years.
Riots in 1998 and 2005
Though the March 27, 1999, incident was the most serious of the campus riots during this time, it was not the first or last incidence of civil disturbance:- May 1, 1998: An estimated 3000 students protesting the ban on alcohol at Munn Field tailgate parties resulted in police firing tear gas at the crowd. The gathering was planned in advance by an email spread through the student body email system asking students to gather and protest the ban. The university police informed students, via the school newspaper, that anyone getting on Munn Field would be arrested for trespassing. One student crossed the fence and was arrested by campus police. Shortly thereafter, 30-40 students crossed the fence and when the remaining students saw the police unable to arrest everyone, approximately 1,500 students poured over the fence on Munn field. The students played football, frisbee and played in the rain and mud. The police then tear gassed the students, who then left and went to the University President's (M. Peter McPherson) house. When the students learned the President was not available, they then went to Grand River Ave, and a small riot ensued. The students were tear gassed for mooning the police.
- April 2, 2005: An estimated 2,000 students and non-students took to the streets immediately following the men's basketball team's loss to UNC in the NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Final FourFinal fourFinal Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
, causing an estimated $8,275 in damage to the city of East Lansing and costing area law enforcement an estimated $190,389 in expenses. The April 2nd event was marked by accusations of police abuse and mismanagement. Though large segments of the disturbance were documented on video, no specific acts of violence were seen until after tear gas was launched at the students. The City CouncilCity councilA city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
formed a commission to review the events. The commission declined to assess blame to the students and police by a 5–4 vote .
External links
- The State News (UWIRE): East Lansing Bans Some Michigan State Students from Town After Riots
- April 2, 2005 riot
- April 2, 2005 riot
- IN RE: INVESTIGATION OF MARCH 1999 RIOTS IN EAST LANSING. Supreme Court of Michigan. September 26, 2000.