In a sharply worded memo to “Student Leaders” titled “Student Civility,” UMass Boston Dean of Students Stephanie Janey stated, “I am very disturbed by the recent uncivil behavior on the part of some of our student leaders.”

The November 27 memo was reportedly prompted by a number of recent incidents involving student leaders on campus. Chief among these incidents were an alleged entry without permission into the Student Senate President’s office by three students and an angry verbal exchange between two other students on the 4th floor of the Wheatley Building (where the offices for most of the UMB student groups are housed), which resulted in one of these students putting his hand through the glass portion of a door.

The three students who allegedly entered the Senate President’s office, all UMB undergraduates, were Al Daly, Cheryl Potter and Christine Yancovitz. Daly and Potter were Student Senators, although Daly has since resigned from the Senate.

The two students involved in the heated verbal exchange were Tristen Lowe, co-coordinator of the Black Student Center (who ended up requiring 3 stitches), and Michael Gervais, assistant coordinator of the disAbility Center. Their altercation was reportedly sparked by a disagreement over compliance with the University’s policy regarding disabled student access at student events. Lowe reportedly injured his hand when he pushed a door open while trying to walk away from Gervais.

Donna Neal, the associate director of Student Life, reported that the campus police investigated the incidents. “Campus police felt none of the incidents warranted further investigation. They have been referred to the Dean of Students Office for possible Code of Conduct violations,” she added.

“The letter,” as a number of students and staff have come to refer to Janey’s memo, goes on to say, “These are stressful times for all of us, but let’s not allow personal circumstances, grudges and disagreements to cause us to behave in ways that are inappropriate in a university environment. It appears that you have been unable or unwilling to resolve your differences without a lot of unnecessary confusion and drama.”

In explaining why she sent the letter, Dean Janey said, “Things were escalating out of control. I feared for people’s safety and everybody needed to calm down. I consider them student leaders and they should be setting an example for other students. We all have conflict in our lives, but there’s a proper way to resolve that conflict.” She also noted, “My concern is for all 13,000 students and even someone who may have done something wrong is entitled to due process.” A number of students, including Senate President Heather Dawood, Gervais and Lowe, have been critical of Janey’s response to these recent circumstances.

“I think it’s important to address these incidents on an individual basis. When people are passionately involved in accomplishing goals there will be times when disagreements take place. Although we are leaders, we look to faculty and staff for support and guidance. I don’t think a draft letter is appropriate or effective. It’s not dealing with the problem on an interpersonal level,” stated Dawood.

Gervais stated, “I believe Dean Janey is in charge of Student Life. Students look to them to be role models. It starts at the top and works down. The administration doesn’t provide the proper leadership. My issue is with Student Life and their leadership around disability compliance.” He added, “It was unfortunate what happened with the broken glass.”

Lowe stated that he tried to get Student Life to intervene in his argument with Gervais. “Janey says to go to Student Life, but no one was around. This isn’t the first time that there’s been incidents of harassment but no one does anything.” He said that he had “become disgusted with the whole process” and planned to resign his position at the close of the semester.

The complete text of Dean Janey’s Memorandum follows.

For: Student Leaders

Subject: Student Civility

“I am very disturbed by the recent uncivil behavior on the part of some of our student leaders. These are stressful times for all of us, but let’s not allow personal circumstances, grudges and disagreements to cause us to behave in ways that are inappropriate in a university environment. It appears that you have been unable or unwilling to resolve your differences without a lot of unnecessary confusion and drama.

In the future, if any of you feel that one of your peers has violated University policy or your civil rights, I would suggest that you report the incident immediately to the appropriate Student Life person, preferably your organizational advisor. It appears that when you attempt to take matters into your own hands, the situation tends to escalate out of control to places where it should not go. This type of disruptive behavior that has occurred recently must stop.

In the spirit of the approaching holiday season, let us take the focus off of us and think about the hardships, which many of our citizens are facing since September 11th. Let us be kinder and gentler in the way we speak to one another. As student leaders, I would expect nothing less from you.”