2008 Woodie Awards
Home > News
Keeping watch
The University's Neutral Observer Program trains volunteers to attend events, such as protests and rallies, in which they personally have no stake and objectively report what happens
by Jobetta Hedelman | Freelance Editor
When an event does lead to arrests or other escalation, neutral observers are required to report what they see, keeping track of "critical incidents," which Bentz said include anything that might violate the law or the student conduct code, or that puts people or property in danger.
The reports are available for anyone with a "legitimate need" to see them, such as members of law enforcement or people on the student Judicial Affairs Committee.
Neutral observers describe not just the behavior of participants but that of law enforcement as well.
Although the reports are kept in the Conflict Resolution Services office, they are rarely requested. Bentz said she has been coordinating the program since 1999 and has only had one or two requests for reports.
Gordon said he has only filed a few reports, one stemmed from the incident at the Michael Moore speech and another from a demonstration at the ROTC offices that resulted in several arrests.
"In general, everything goes smoothly and there are no problems," he said.
Gordon said his favorite thing about volunteering for the program is that it inspires him to attend events he would not otherwise "muster the energy" to attend, but he would not describe it as an "enjoyable" experience.
"I just felt like it seemed like a reasonable thing for the campus to be doing, so I saw it as more of a public service than an enjoyable thing to do," he said.
Gordon said the program is good for the campus because it provides "a dispassionate and unbiased account of whatever events might transpire."
He said in the event a demonstration leads to a lawsuit or other action against the University, it is good to have a safety mechanism in place.
"I think it's a valuable backup to other systems that are in place," he said.
Contact the campus and federal politics reporter at jhedelman@dailyemerald.com
The reports are available for anyone with a "legitimate need" to see them, such as members of law enforcement or people on the student Judicial Affairs Committee.
Neutral observers describe not just the behavior of participants but that of law enforcement as well.
Although the reports are kept in the Conflict Resolution Services office, they are rarely requested. Bentz said she has been coordinating the program since 1999 and has only had one or two requests for reports.
Gordon said he has only filed a few reports, one stemmed from the incident at the Michael Moore speech and another from a demonstration at the ROTC offices that resulted in several arrests.
"In general, everything goes smoothly and there are no problems," he said.
Gordon said his favorite thing about volunteering for the program is that it inspires him to attend events he would not otherwise "muster the energy" to attend, but he would not describe it as an "enjoyable" experience.
"I just felt like it seemed like a reasonable thing for the campus to be doing, so I saw it as more of a public service than an enjoyable thing to do," he said.
Gordon said the program is good for the campus because it provides "a dispassionate and unbiased account of whatever events might transpire."
He said in the event a demonstration leads to a lawsuit or other action against the University, it is good to have a safety mechanism in place.
"I think it's a valuable backup to other systems that are in place," he said.
Contact the campus and federal politics reporter at jhedelman@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
dorothy
posted 5/10/07 @ 4:52 AM PST
This is really an incredibley genius idea.I wholeheartidly support it,as an Alumni.Having "objective" observers is one of the most SANE things I can think of. (Continued…)
Jeanette Doney
posted 5/10/07 @ 7:09 AM PST
The idea of a "nuetral observer" is absurd. Bob Dylan sings, "We all gotta serve somebody". Nuetral observers are of, by and FOR the university they serve, the university's laws they observe. (Continued…)
roger
posted 5/13/07 @ 6:11 PM PST
Amazing that there is no neutral reporting any more especially according to the conservative media machine which has successfully been able to label everyone else as "liberal media". (Continued…)
Post a Comment