Student Task Force Recommends Voluntary Compliance Before Imposing Fan Behavior Policies

The student task force charged with reviewing the behavior issues at Maryland athletic events has recommended that the university attempt to modify offensive behaviors in a voluntary manner prior to instituting any specific rules or disciplinary measures, said Linda Clement, vice president for Student Affairs, and Deborah Yow, director of athletics.

In April, the Maryland Attorney General's office responded to a university request for guidance by issuing an opinion that stated the institution could create policies to regulate fan behavior without violating First Amendment rights, but that policies should be developed and implemented only if all other measures failed to produce the desired results.

The student recommendations "fit within (those) parameters," said David Krieger, the senior Student Government Association representative who chaired the task force.

The student task force recommends employing a number of initiatives to encourage voluntary compliance with positive fan behaviors, including:

• An accessible t-shirt exchange at athletic venues to provide free t-shirts to students who turn in profane t-shirts.
• Head coaches addressing incoming freshmen during convocation prior to the beginning of each school year.
• An open practice with Head Basketball Coach Gary Williams prior to a marquee game to discuss with students the value of good sportsmanship.
• A game day newspaper to distribute to basketball fans to continue the tradition of shaking the papers while the opposing team is introduced. The papers will be lighthearted and will include "creative, witty cheers" that students may adopt in place of profane cheers that have been used at some basketball games. These cheers will be created by students.
• A "best sign" contest on the video board at football and basketball games to encourage creative and appropriate signs and banners.
• Additional signage at athletic venues discouraging profanity.
  
  

Should the effort to secure voluntary compliance fail, the student task force agrees that specific rules and disciplinary measures must be implemented, as a last resort to resolving the behavioral issues related to profanity displayed on clothing and banners.

The student task force met 12 times over three months, including meetings with Head Basketball Coach Gary Williams, university administrators and university system officials. They convened a public forum moderated by former Maryland basketball star and ESPN broadcaster Len Elmore to solicit comments from students and other members of the university community.

Students also conducted a survey of more than 200 Maryland students to secure additional opinions about fan behavior.

Krieger noted that a majority of students surveyed are concerned about fan behavior and about the possibility of policies to regulate fan behavior. A slight majority acknowledges that the university has a right to regulate behavior at games.

"These measures are intended to enrich traditions of old and foster new game day rituals," Krieger said.

The task force recommended the creation of a 12-member standing committee of students, coaches and administrators to monitor fan behavior and determine whether voluntary compliance is working. The committee will begin meeting prior to the beginning of the 2004-05 academic year and will be charged with, among other things, refining the existing "spectator code of conduct", defining the profanities that would result in disciplinary action and developing a schedule of sanctions, if voluntary compliance is not ultimately effective. This will occur in consultation with the university's legal office.

"We hope and believe that voluntary compliance will work," said Krieger. "Our initial recommendation is to give our fans a last chance to prove profanity is not intertwined with enjoyment at athletic events."

Yow thanked the task force, saying that these efforts "should encourage new ways to express pride and support for our teams." The athletic department has pledged $15,000 to support the implementation of the task force's recommendations and Associate Athletics Director Michael Lipitz will assist in coordinating the new initiatives. Krieger said the money will be used for the t-shirt exchange program.

"David Krieger and his associates deserve high praise for the work they have done," said Clement. "This is a chance to demonstrate the true character of Maryland students."

"It takes time to change a culture, but it is clear that most Maryland students do not want to see the kinds of behavior that have haunted the university in the past, and they don't want to see restrictive policies put in place, either," Krieger said.

To download the complete Fan Behavior Taskforce Recommendations document in PDF format, click HERE.