x
Breaking News
More () »

Fights and arrests mar end-of-year celebration at WIU

What was supposed to be an end-of-the-year celebration turned ugly when fighting drew crowds and police to the student union area at Western Illinois University...
WIU fights 12-12-14

What was supposed to be an end-of-the-year celebration turned ugly when fighting drew crowds and police to the student union area at Western Illinois University in Macomb.

A witness reported seeing crowds and police arriving as the union was evacuated following an event there Friday evening, December 12, 2014, according to KHQA. His was one of several video clips of the scene that surfaced online.

An event advertised as a party for the Class of ’14 was scheduled to be held from 10 p.m. to midnight that night in the Heritage Room of the University Union. Campus security was scheduled to arrive at the union at 11 p.m. By that time, a fight had been reported at the party.

Police arrived and evacuated the building. Once outside, some people continued the fight, police said. Officers used pepper spray and they reported making three arrests.

“Fighting and other acts of violence are not, and will not be, tolerated at this university,” said a letter issued Monday morning, December 15, by WIU President Jack Thomas. “Those who insist on engaging in this type of behavior will be expelled.”

Thomas planned to host meetings to discuss the incident and other issues following the holiday break.

Read his full letter below:

December 15, 2014

Letter to University Community

To our University Community:

As many of you are aware, an incident occurred on our campus Friday evening following a student-sponsored event in the University Union. The fighting that took place outside of the University Union resulted in police involvement and arrests. As such, the situation was captured on video and has been picked up by national media.

I am extremely disappointed, and quite frankly, appalled, that a few individuals who chose to engage in fighting marred an end of the year celebration and damaged this University’s reputation because of their inexcusable actions.

Fighting and other acts of violence are not, and will not be, tolerated at this University. Those who insist on engaging in this type of behavior will be expelled. We do not want individuals at our University who incite violence and engage in inappropriate behavior. It is because of a select few that Western has appeared in an unfavorable light throughout the country this weekend.

We cannot let this be the image of Western Illinois University, and we cannot let this incident define our University. We must move past this, and I am asking everyone to work together to make things better at Western. We have so much for which to be proud. On Dec. 12, a well-organized march and rally were orchestrated by students, along with faculty and staff organizations. More than 200 people gathered to show their support for peace and justice. This is the Western Illinois University that must be at the forefront.

I would like to express my gratitude to the outstanding students we have on this campus. There are far more of you than the few who choose to break the law and engage in criminal activity. Unfortunately, it is the non-law-abiding students and visitors who cast a disparaging light on our University. As noted previously, those students will not be allowed to remain enrolled at Western Illinois University.

Following the holiday break, I will host a series of meetings to discuss this incident and other issues. Together we must ensure our campus remains a safe and peaceful place of higher learning.

Thank you for your support.

Jack Thomas

President

Western Illinois University

Before You Leave, Check This Out