2008 Woodie Awards
Wiley Hall residents barred from exiting dormitory during World Series celebration
Tyler Will
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
10/30/07 - Wiley Hall residents were not allowed to exit their dormitory while about 700 University of Rhode Island students celebrated the World Series victory of the Boston Red Sox early Monday morning.
The Wiley Residence Hall director, Jillian Michaud, mandated the lockdown without authorization from either URI's Department of Housing and Residential Life nor any of the security officials present.
"That's not a directive that came from me," said Charles Hall, the assistant director of Housing and Residential Life.
Chip Yensan, the director of HRL, confirmed Hall's statement.
"That wasn't part of our instruction," Yensan said, but added that the goal of the Wiley staff was to keep students away from the "imminent threat of injury."
Both Yensan and Hall declined to comment on the legality of the lockdown until further investigation.
Campus Police Maj. Stephen Baker said the lockdown in Wiley Hall "definitely didn't come from [police]."
Eyewitness accounts said that Wiley Hall residence assistants blocked the doors and threatened students with arrest if they left the residence hall.
Justin Stephens, a resident of Wiley Hall, found himself subject to the security measures.
"I walked out into the lounge, [of Wiley Hall] and 20 or 30 people were there and [the RAs] wouldn't let us out the door," he said.
Stephens said the lockdown lasted about five minutes. Stephens said he went back to his room, and saw people outside. He consequently realized the lockdown had been lifted.
"It wasn't that big of a deal," Stephens said, and added, "They were just doing it to keep us safe."
However, Terrence Simpson, the town prosecutor of South Kingstown, said the lockdown could be considered illegal based on the circumstances.
"I need to know more about what the [celebrating] students were doing," Simpson said. "It raises the issue about what is the obligation [of the hall director] to act in the best interest of students."
Yensan plans to speak to the Wiley staff and get "their side of the story." He declined to comment on any possible consequences for the staff members involved. Hall Director Jillian Michaud did not answer her door, and could not be reached for comment.
Steven Brown, the director of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said the lockdown was an unusual event.
"I can't say I've ever heard of anything like this before," Brown said. "At the very least there should be a formal justification from the school."
Brown said he didn't know if the lockdown directly violated any liberties, but said the policy probably violated state fire codes.
Security and police reported no arrests from the crowd that materialized on Butterfield Road and migrated to the Quadrangle for about 20 minutes.
One student took off his clothes and ran past the Potter Health Services building. Other students launched fireworks somewhere behind Hope Commons. A dumpster was set on fire behind Browning Hall, which was quickly extinguished by the Kingston Fire Department.
News Editor Chloe Thompson contributed to this article.
The Wiley Residence Hall director, Jillian Michaud, mandated the lockdown without authorization from either URI's Department of Housing and Residential Life nor any of the security officials present.
"That's not a directive that came from me," said Charles Hall, the assistant director of Housing and Residential Life.
Chip Yensan, the director of HRL, confirmed Hall's statement.
"That wasn't part of our instruction," Yensan said, but added that the goal of the Wiley staff was to keep students away from the "imminent threat of injury."
Both Yensan and Hall declined to comment on the legality of the lockdown until further investigation.
Campus Police Maj. Stephen Baker said the lockdown in Wiley Hall "definitely didn't come from [police]."
Eyewitness accounts said that Wiley Hall residence assistants blocked the doors and threatened students with arrest if they left the residence hall.
Justin Stephens, a resident of Wiley Hall, found himself subject to the security measures.
"I walked out into the lounge, [of Wiley Hall] and 20 or 30 people were there and [the RAs] wouldn't let us out the door," he said.
Stephens said the lockdown lasted about five minutes. Stephens said he went back to his room, and saw people outside. He consequently realized the lockdown had been lifted.
"It wasn't that big of a deal," Stephens said, and added, "They were just doing it to keep us safe."
However, Terrence Simpson, the town prosecutor of South Kingstown, said the lockdown could be considered illegal based on the circumstances.
"I need to know more about what the [celebrating] students were doing," Simpson said. "It raises the issue about what is the obligation [of the hall director] to act in the best interest of students."
Yensan plans to speak to the Wiley staff and get "their side of the story." He declined to comment on any possible consequences for the staff members involved. Hall Director Jillian Michaud did not answer her door, and could not be reached for comment.
Steven Brown, the director of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said the lockdown was an unusual event.
"I can't say I've ever heard of anything like this before," Brown said. "At the very least there should be a formal justification from the school."
Brown said he didn't know if the lockdown directly violated any liberties, but said the policy probably violated state fire codes.
Security and police reported no arrests from the crowd that materialized on Butterfield Road and migrated to the Quadrangle for about 20 minutes.
One student took off his clothes and ran past the Potter Health Services building. Other students launched fireworks somewhere behind Hope Commons. A dumpster was set on fire behind Browning Hall, which was quickly extinguished by the Kingston Fire Department.
News Editor Chloe Thompson contributed to this article.