College responds to report
Allison Ehrenreich
Issue date: 9/16/09 Section: News
The events of early Sunday April 12, 2009 shook life on the Hill last semester. An average weekend encounter between Security and students resulted in the physical restraint and ultimate arrest of two Colby students. These events sparked an outcry from the community and a call for the review of many of the College security practices.
THE EVENTS
Early Easter morning, as a school dance was winding down in Page Commons, a security official encountered a sleeping student in the Students Organized for Black and Hispanic Unity (SOBHU) room. Ultimately, the security official decided to call for Colby Emergency Response (CER) to check on the student's status.
As CER was administering to the student in question, Ozzy Ramirez '09, a student of color, tried to enter the room. He expressed concern when he saw CER with his friend. Security officials-three more had arrived at this point-told Ramirez to leave the room, concerned that he was interfering with CER's duties. He persisted, and the officials escorted him physically from the room, using a take down to restrain him in the Pugh Center. Waterville police were then called to the scene, as Security protocol requires in the event of a take down.
At this point, CER left with the ill student, taking him to the Health Center.
Ramirez was still restrained 10 to 15 minutes later when Jacob Roundtree '10, another student of color, entered the room. He was upset when he saw Ramirez, bleeding, under physical restraint and witnesses would later describe his behavior as "aggressive." When he walked towards Security, he was also taken to the floor.
Soon thereafter, local police arrived, and used Mace spray in Roundtree's face. A student video captured part of the disturbing scene. Ramirez and Roundtree were arrested and charged with assault and criminal trespassing.
A strong community response followed. There was confusion and outrage over what had happened, and unanswered questions as to what role race played. Thus Colby United was formed.
THE EVENTS
Early Easter morning, as a school dance was winding down in Page Commons, a security official encountered a sleeping student in the Students Organized for Black and Hispanic Unity (SOBHU) room. Ultimately, the security official decided to call for Colby Emergency Response (CER) to check on the student's status.
As CER was administering to the student in question, Ozzy Ramirez '09, a student of color, tried to enter the room. He expressed concern when he saw CER with his friend. Security officials-three more had arrived at this point-told Ramirez to leave the room, concerned that he was interfering with CER's duties. He persisted, and the officials escorted him physically from the room, using a take down to restrain him in the Pugh Center. Waterville police were then called to the scene, as Security protocol requires in the event of a take down.
At this point, CER left with the ill student, taking him to the Health Center.
Ramirez was still restrained 10 to 15 minutes later when Jacob Roundtree '10, another student of color, entered the room. He was upset when he saw Ramirez, bleeding, under physical restraint and witnesses would later describe his behavior as "aggressive." When he walked towards Security, he was also taken to the floor.
Soon thereafter, local police arrived, and used Mace spray in Roundtree's face. A student video captured part of the disturbing scene. Ramirez and Roundtree were arrested and charged with assault and criminal trespassing.
A strong community response followed. There was confusion and outrage over what had happened, and unanswered questions as to what role race played. Thus Colby United was formed.
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