January 26, 1999
New Resolution to Oppose Scapegoating and Police Persecution
Whereas: The University administration and the Ann Arbor city government have responded to the tragic and untimely death of one of our fellow students in a profoundly inappropriate way.
Whereas: The Ann Arbor Police Department's crackdown on campus alcohol consumption and the singling out of fraternity brothers from Phi Delta Theta is conceived more from the standpoint of public relations and protecting the University from legal liability than from the standpoint of improving the safety and wellbeing of the student body.
Whereas: The raid conducted and the 10 criminal charges against Phi Delta Theta are a danger to the basic rights and civil liberties of students and citizens generally.
Whereas: The Ann Arbor Police Department/Prosecutor's office operation (including undercover officers and narcs, an early morning raid and multiple criminal prosecutions) is entirely out of proportion and constitutes an infringement on the right to privacy and the right to be free from unreasonable search.
Whereas: The University's claim that they are not involved in the AAPD busts is disingenuous.
Whereas: Alcoholism and alcohol related accidents take a heavy toll on our society.
Whereas: This heavy-handed, unreasonable, and cynical police and prosecutorial operation has nothing in common with addressing the legitimate problems of alcoholism and alcohol related accidents.
Therefore be it resolved:
1) MSA calls for an end to the scapegoating and police persecution of Phi Delta Theta.
2) MSA calls for the charges against Phi Delta Theta members to be dropped immediately.
3) MSA calls for an end to police harassment of fraternity parties, house parties and parties in the Michigan Union.
4) MSA, as the defender of students' rights, pledges to support the 10 students who are wrongly being "made examples of" by the authorities.
5) MSA calls on the University Administration to publicly oppose this AAPD Policy including the charges against Phi Delta Theta members.
6) MSA calls for a policy of education, not repression, including an improvement and expansion of the Universities' voluntary alcohol counseling and an improvement and expansion of campus recreational facilities for students.
7) MSA will send copies of this resolution to the University Administration, the Ann Arbor City Council, the Panhellenic Society, the Black Greek Association, and the Michigan Daily.
Submitted by DAAP
A previous version of the resolution was put forward by DAAP in December, but was tabled. The above version of the resolution was submitted by DAAP after the AAPD made the arrests. It was then tabled on 1/19; Finally, it was amended, and passed on 1/26 — 18 for, 11 against, 1 abstaining.