Andrew Rose, president of the Student Government Association at University of Maryland College Park, called the policy "workable and responsible," and "probably the best thing we can come up with at this point."
"I wish this wasn't an issue. It really shouldn't be. I wish I could ask you guys, 'Don't draft a policy.' But that's not something I can ask right now," he said.
The board passed its first resolution on student riots in 2002, in response to several incidents on and around the University of Maryland College Park campus.
But the previous policy was "unenforceable," assistant attorney general JoAnn Goedert said. Previously, students had to receive a criminal conviction for a riot-related offense before the USM policy could be implemented.
The revised policy directs each individual institution to adopt policies requiring "strong disciplinary sanctions against students who participate in serious misconduct."
It defines event-related misconduct as "rioting, assault, theft, vandalism, fire-setting, or other misconduct related to an institution-sponsored event, occurring on- or off-campus, that results in harm to persons or property or otherwise poses a threat to the stability of the campus or campus community." Students who violate the policy should be subject to campus judicial proceedings and presumptive dismissal, the regents said.
In November and December, Towson's SGA joined the USM Student Council and other student groups in opposing several possible changes to the riot policy.
"It's not quite as harsh as the other policy, but there are some problems with it," SGA president Darcy Accardi said at Tuesday's meeting. "We would prefer that there just not be a policy." The policy directs institutions to adopt appropriate policies and procedures by April 15.
After discussing the misconduct policy, the regents approved a new degree program for Towson. The M.S. in forensic science will complement the University's existing undergraduate programs in forensic chemistry and molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics.
In his welcoming remarks, President Robert Caret discussed the University's metropolitan role and its recent marketing strategy, stating: "When you get up to 18- or 19 thousand students, you can't pretend you're Goucher or Hood."
Kirwan praised Caret for the "energy and excitement at Towson University."
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