When senior Georgetta Nicol heard about some party-busting tactics by the Duke University Police Department last semester, she was confused. After searching the DUPD website, she found that University regulations require students to show their Duke Cards when prompted by administrators or the DUPD, but students can remain silent if only asked for their names.
This was one lesson shared at a Black Student Alliance-sponsored Town Hall meeting last night as students, administrators and members of DUPD discussed racial issues and the rights of students in dealing with law enforcement. The meeting, mediated by BSA president Maya Washington, was held in part to address concerns of some Central Campus residents that their parties are being unfairly targeted by DUPD. Additionally, students sought clarification on DUPD procedures including responses to noise complaints to the use of metal detectors at parties.
"In order for incidents not to take place, students need to know their rights first," Nicol said.
Washington asked about the 24 hour quiet policy which exists on Central, and why it was in place. She said the policy puts those residents at a disadvantage for hosting parties.
Director of Residence Life and Housing Services Eddie Hull said that some opportunities available to students on West Campus, such as hosting large parties, are not available to students living on Central. He admitted that deficiencies have been identified in a review of Central, however, the regulation still stands and students must abide by it. He added that he lived there for ten months and was aware of how easily sound carried.
"The most innocuous things can get your attention," Hull said. "Central Campus is not built with what you all call parties in mind."
For Nicol, the main issue on Central was black and white. She said police action at parties varied depending on the race of partygoers.
"Officers are aggressive in the way they deal with black parties on Central Campus," Nicol said. "They're more lenient at white parties."
Several students noted that black parties they had attended were broken up after one complaint, while other parties on Central received several warnings.
Students also sought a clarification for when and where metal detectors should be used. They mentioned one particular instance when a metal detector was used at a step show in Page Auditorium, a location where detectors are generally used. DUPD Special Operations Manager Major Burnice Parker said that such an incident will not happen again, but that DUPD reserved the right to put metal detectors into use in most cases.
DUPD Chief Clarence Birkhead said the meeting was productive and a necessary means of progress between students, police and the administration.
"I think these forums are great to let the air out of the balloon if you will," Birkhead said. "We can't change a thing unless we have a meaningful dialogue."
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