EAST LANSING, Mich. — As the Michigan State University men’s and women’s basketball teams prepare to make a run in this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament, the MSU/City of East Lansing Celebrations Committee is urging fans to celebrate the Spartan victories safely and responsibly.
“We urge fans to celebrate Spartan victories safely, in a way that reflects MSU’s core values of responsibility and civility,” said Ginny Haas, MSU’s director of community relations and co-chairperson of the committee.
Formed in 2003, the Celebrations Committee is composed of a cross section of MSU and city of East Lansing officials. The committee includes elected officials, MSU faculty and staff, police officers and students.
The committee’s mission is to promote safe and responsible celebrations, especially as they pertain to various events, including sporting events such as the NCAA tournament.
Working with the East Lansing and MSU police departments, the committee has developed a series of “need-to-know” messages that will help ensure public safety during periods of celebration throughout the course of the NCAA Tournament.
The messages are as follows.
- Be sure not to block streets or sidewalks.
- Keep moving and avoid large crowds.
- A gathering on public or private property can be declared an unlawful assembly. If declared as such, leave the area immediately.
- If you don’t leave an unlawful assembly, you are breaking the law and can be arrested.
- People who assault others, destroy property or incite a riot are breaking the law and may be arrested. Students also may be expelled and/or suspended from their university, college and/or high school.
- It’s in your best interest to always cooperate with the police.
- If you believe your rights have been violated by a police officer, obtain the officer’s badge number and consider filing a formal complaint at a later date.
“The safest place to celebrate is in your own residence or private residence to which you have been invited or a public establishment designed to entertain sports-related celebrations,” said Kelly Beck of the MSU Police Department and member of the committee. “If you decide to go outside, you may celebrate on public property so long as you do not violate the law and do not obstruct vehicle or pedestrian traffic.”
“Safety is our main priority each year during the NCAA Basketball Tournament,” said East Lansing Police Chief Tom Wibert. “We at the East Lansing Police Department urge MSU students and out-of-town visitors alike to be responsible when celebrating.
“We ask everyone to call upon a designated driver when getting from point A to point B and to abide by the laws of the East Lansing community.”
For additional information, please visit the Web at www.msu.edu/celebrations.
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