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ROSE ASKS COMMUNITY COALITION TO REVIEW STUDENT INCIDENT | |
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From: Media Relations August 28, 2000HARRISONBURG - James Madison University President Linwood H. Rose Monday called on a university-community committee to study the incident that occurred last week in a private housing complex near JMU and make recommendations "on preventive measures that can be taken to avoid a repeat of the regrettable activity." A group variously estimated from 1,000 to 2,000 gathered early Saturday morning in and around an off-campus apartment complex. The crowd clashed with police and 20 arrests were made. Rose said, "All of us in the James Madison University community deeply regret the incident . . . we are deeply concerned over the safety and well-being of our students and the residents of Harrisonburg and want to take steps to assure that there is not a repeat of this unfortunate incident. We expect our students to be good and respectful neighbors and to obey the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Those who do not will be dealt with in accordance with the law and university policy." The JMU president asked that the Community Coalition - a group formed last fall at JMU's request - look into the situation and make recommendations to the university and the City of Harrisonburg. There are about 35 members in the coalition. Its membership includes citizens living near JMU, law-enforcement officials, rental property owners, JMU student leaders, city officials and members of the JMU administration. The coalition is chaired by Donna L. Harper, associate vice president for educational support in JMU's Division of Student Affairs. Since it was formed last fall, the coalition has undertaken a variety of projects aimed at developing positive relationships between the university and Harrisonburg residents. The coalition has worked with managers of apartment complexes near the JMU campus to address methods of handling and coordinating issues of tenants and property owners. The coalition has also developed a brochure outlining Virginia laws and university and community referral programs for students. # # #"All of us in the James Madison University community deeply regret the incident involving many JMU students that occurred last weekend in a private housing complex near our campus."We are deeply concerned over the safety and well-being of our students and the residents of Harrisonburg and want to take steps to assure that there is not a repeat of this unfortunate incident. We expect our students to be good and respectful neighbors and to obey the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Those who do not will be dealt with in accordance with the law and university policy. "Established at JMU's request last fall, the Community Coalition was created to deal with situations involving relationships between the JMU student body and the local community. The Coalition includes members who represent Harrisonburg citizens living near JMU, law-enforcement officials, rental property owners, JMU student leaders, city officials, and the JMU administration. This group has done excellent work in addressing a variety of issues that invariably will occur in a community with a large student population. "I call on the Community Coalition to study the issues that led to the weekend incident and to issue recommendations to the University and the City of Harrisonburg as soon as possible on preventive measures that can be taken to avoid a repeat of the regrettable activity that occurred near our campus." |
 
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Publisher: Media Relations For Information Contact: JMU News Bureau |
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