MSU suspends 6 students over disturbance

4/10/2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University has suspended six students following what police have characterized as a riot near campus last weekend.

The university said yesterday that the students had violated a disorderly conduct policy. They were suspended until their cases are resolved, but may petition for reinstatement. The university did not name them.

Of 11 cases referred to the school so far, seven have been reviewed for possible interim suspension. Six students were suspended, and one was not.

The school defines a riot as five or more people acting together to intentionally or recklessly create a serious risk of causing "public terror or alarm."

Police used tear gas early Sunday to break up a party involving 3,000 to 4,000 people after police were pelted with bottles and rocks.

Terry Denbow, a university spokesman, did not say if the suspended students had been among the 28 students arrested after the disturbance. He cited privacy concerns.

Yesterday, East Lansing police asked the public to help identify suspected rioters, according to the Lansing State Journal. Police posted photographs of young people on a Web site, including someone running with a stop sign.

East Lansing and Michigan State have set up a $20,000 reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals. East Lansing police are asking people to submit copies of photographs or video of the incident. Police have their own video.

Altogether, 52 students and nonstudents were arrested, and 38 face disorderly conduct charges. Others face misdemeanor traffic, drug, alcohol and noise charges. Police also have issued dozens of tickets related to the party.