BGA members raise concerns about Union parties

Although LSA senior and Black Greek Association member Kenny Marshall plans to graduate on Sunday, he is still interested in greek life on campus next semester. Marshall, who has been active for several years in one of the campus's four black fraternities, says he is a little concerned about the future of BGA.

First and second-year students are increasingly less interested in joining BGA, Marshall said. He attributes the lower totals to several reasons, including restrictions placed on the group's activities in the Michigan Union.

Because none of the BGA fraternities and sororities have houses on campus, the organization relies heavily on the Michigan Union as a location to host social events.

"People are getting tired. People have stopped coming out to support," Marshall said. "The more restrictions you have, the more people just don't want to deal with it."

Marshall said BGA is no longer allowed to step at their parties unless on a stage. Additionally, and University members are no longer allowed to bring outside guests to the group's events.

Marshall described stepping as in-line or in-sequence dances that originated from "tribal-type African dance."

Too much control out of BGA's hands is the problem, he said.

"Lack of party attendance definitely affects what you can do as an organization because, even though we have other fundraisers, parties make the most money because they serve as a study break, a stress reliever, a social outlet," Marshall said.

Several University officials, however, said the restrictions are in place for good reasons.

"We feel like the best ways to protect our students is to cut out the elements that are causing" problems, said Barbara Wiggins, who manages the Michigan Union scheduling office. "It may seem punitive, and in some ways it is, but it's to protect the students."

Wiggins said officials don't really worry about the actions of University students, but rather the actions of outsiders with whom they are not familiar.

But Marshall said problems don't stem from the people who attend BGA functions as guests of University students.

"The problem really isn't from outsiders. It's within the University," Marshall said. "The problems we've had with outsiders over the past few years have been minimal."

Wiggins said stepping at BGA functions in the Union, unless on a stage, was prohibited after a fight broke out during a BGA party on Oct. 10. Wiggins said a fight occurred between two groups, one of which was comprised of members from outside the University.

"I think the fights start because there aren't enough outlets for black students on campus," Marshall said. "The events are few and far between."

Marshall said that although stepping does instigate some disputes between people, impromptu stepping should still be allowed. Stepping creates a good atmosphere, he said.

"You should be able to step. I don't see that as doing any harm. People have been doing that for years," Marshall said. "I don't see that as the direct cause of fights. Stepping doesn't cause fights."

Associate Dean of Students Frank Cianciola, who made some of the decisions regarding BGA events, said that although he empathizes with BGA's situation, recurring incidents of violence related to stepping and outsiders have led to the restrictions on the group's parties.

"These were steps that we put in place to achieve our objectives," Cianciola said. "We want the security of University students first and foremost."

Cianciola said his office has invited BGA members to come up with another plan that might prevent further acts of violence at the group's parties.

"I think that (rule is) in place until there is an alternate plan of action that might better address the problem areas," Cianciola said. "They need to come together as a community and identify the action steps that would address this issue."

Cianciola said the current polices restricting impromptu stepping and limiting attendance to University students are not necessarily permanent, but rather they were created to halt the pattern of violence occurring at BGA events.

"I think we're open to whatever that plan might look like," he added.

BGA President Gerald Olivari said he anticipates positive outcomes.

"I was planning to brainstorm on that on the break to come up with some ideas," Olivari said. "It's hard to find a middle ground, but there's one there."

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