U-Mass Violence

AMHERST MA-

Violence has erupted in recent weeks at U-Mass Amherst, and binge drinking is to blame according to university officials.

Marianne Winters said “that there is an anticipation almost an expectation that violence is a possibility.” Many students have been expelled due to violent incidents, but the problems still remain.

Jeff Napolitian the president of the Graduate Student Senate said that the university "packs freshman who have no experience of living on their own into one area, and there are bound be to problems. "

Most of the incidents occur in the Southwest dorm area at U-Mass which has played host to violent riots over the past five years. Violence erupted after The Red Sox were defeated by the New York Yankees in the American League Divisional series in 2003. During this riot police cars were turned over and several U-Mass students were arrested.

The most damaging riots to the University took place after U-Mass lost to Appalachian State for the Division AA championship. During this incident windows of Berkshire Dining commons were smashed, along with windows of the lower level dorms near the South West quad.

University officials said that the rowdiest parties happen off-campus. A town-university coalition is proposing a measure that would give local law enforcement broader authority to break up disruptive parties and hold hosts responsible for serving alcohol to minors.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/21/attacks_rowdiness_rattling_many_at_umass_amherst/