The University of Minnesota Senate failed to pass a resolution censuring the University’s police department (UMPD) for the detainment of Minnesota Daily reporter Tyler Church at a special University Senate meeting Nov. 15.
The resolution, written by graduate student Chase Krug, called for UMPD to be held accountable for their actions during the Morrill Hall occupation on Oct. 21.
“This incident raises significant concerns regarding UMPD’s adherence to First Amendment rights,” Krug said.
Church attended the meeting and spoke in favor of the resolution.
“I sit with you all today, not to lambaste the UMPD or the University of Minnesota,” Church said. “What I am here to do is to tell my story and pave the way for future student journalists here at the University.”
During the occupation, Church was held in flex-cuffs briefly and had his belongings confiscated. It took almost 48 hours to get his belongings back, including his laptop, reporting notes and other schoolwork.
“All my life, I’ve wanted to become a journalist so that I could help amplify the voices of those struggling and get them help. On that day, I was told that what I do doesn’t matter,” Church said. “So, what I ask of you all is to consider the future of journalists here at the U, and understand that your vote could influence the future of many students. There need to be steps put in place to ensure that the events that occurred to me on October 21 never happen to another student journalist again on this campus.”
Church was cut off before he could finish his speech due to time restraints.
The meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes, but several members of the senate felt that was not enough time. Votes to extend the meeting failed twice.
The resolution was opened to the floor for debate, where representatives spoke for and against the resolution.
Stacy Maher, the chair of the Civil Services Senate, said the resolution does not promote campus safety.
“I want to acknowledge some end goals — campus safety and campus security,” Maher said. “These are commonalities for all within our system, inclusive of civil service staff, some of which were working inside Morrill Hall on the day of the occupation. This resolution does not promote a culture of safety, it exposes a device of fissure within our University.”
Maher and professor Richard Graves were concerned about the potential conflict the resolution could create.
“I believe it will contribute to the continued fragmentation and division of the University of Minnesota community,” Graves said. “The goal is to build and strengthen relationships and bring communities together.”
Other dissenting speakers questioned the need for this meeting to occur.
Krug said the resolution formally reprimands UMPD and requests it investigate police officer’s’ training regarding the press. He added this legislation would be impactful for the University community.
Senators in favor of the resolution, like professor Nathaniel Mills, spoke on the importance of holding UMPD accountable and the severity of the police response to the Oct. 21 occupation.
“In her remarks to the Senate on the (Oct.) 24, President Cunningham justified sending in the police to break up the occupation, citing the chaotic circumstances and fog of war around the situation as explaining any brief or mistaken press detentions,” Mills said. “Despite having this period of no threat to safety for about an hour, the administration decided to have cops rush in and subdue everyone, protesters and press included.”
Other members refuted criticisms of the language and timing of the resolution.
Professor Teri Caraway said the bill was introduced at a critical time.
“The question before us is whether we think it’s appropriate,” Caraway said. “If you think that that’s a good thing to happen, then you should vote against this resolution. If you don’t want that behavior to happen on our campus, then you should vote in favor of it.”
The resolution did not pass, with 59 members in support and 61 members opposed. President Rebecca Cunningham and Provost Rachel Croson were not present at the meeting.
