Safety of Naked Mile questioned

By Caitlin Nish

Daily Staff Reporter

While most students are looking forward to the Naked Mile as an annual event of crazy naked fun, the administration is gearing up for April 14 as a dangerous night of mayhem and chaos.

In response to growing concern for runners in the unendorsed event, the Campus Safety Commission held a mass meeting last night outlining the safety dangers posed to runners by the crowds of onlookers.

"We know that this is an event that begins after everyone gets drunk and we want to make things safer for everybody," LSA junior Marisa Linn, co-coordinator of the Naked Mile Safety group said.

Although the fliers posted on campus by Naked Mile Safety advertised a need for "security," DPS spokeswoman Diane Brown said that the students can be used only as volunteers and not as security guards.

"They won't be able to be trained to do security. They will be a volunteer, helpful, student body," she said.

Linn explained to volunteers at the meeting that their main focus should be keeping the paths open for the runners.

The volunteers, who will be wearing "security" T-shirts, will report open intoxicants, groping, violence, rioting and medical problems to site leaders who will communicate via walkie-talkies and cell phones.

In his annual letter sent to all seniors, President Lee Bollinger urged students not to participate in the Naked Mile.

"From assaults to excessive drinking, to hypothermia, to the exploitations of international pornographers, the list of potential bad consequences is serious, even grave, and becoming more so with each passing year," Bollinger wrote. "Additionally, this is a violation of the law and could result in the arresting of students."

While both University administration and the Department of Public Safety are recommending that students stay far from the event, DPS will still attempt to protect the runners.

"Even though we don't want them to run, it is our duty to protect them," DPS Officer Gary Hicks said.

Literature circulated by DPS titled, "Reasons Not to Run in the Naked Run," states that running is unlawful. It states "runners may suffer, "possible arrest and prosecution for Indecent Exposure and/or Unlawful Assembly. Depending upon the court actions, those convicted may be required to register as sex offenders."

In addition, Gov. John Engler last Thursday signed a bill into law prohibiting "those convicted of riot behavior, unlawful assembly, or civil disobedience from attending a State of Michigan college or university."

The literature also warns that runners may be photographed or video taped against their will and that those pictures may be sold on cable channels or the Internet.

While many students feel that the administration and DPS are overreacting, Brown said that the Naked Mile is a very serious issue.

"They say, 'Oh, the University just wants to squelch our fun.' No, fun is good. What we want is to keep people from getting hurt or worse, dying," she said.

Any students who are interested in volunteering for Naked Mile Safety should report to the Wedge Room in the West Quadrangle Residence Hall before 9 p.m. April 14. Student identification is required for volunteering.

"Even though we don't want them to run, it is our duty to protect them," DPS Officer Gary Hicks said.

Literature circulated by DPS titled, "Reasons Not to Run in the Naked Run" states that running is unlawful. It states "runners may suffer, possible arrest and prosecution for Indecent Exposure and/or Unlawful Assembly. Depending upon the court actions, those convicted may be required to register as sex offenders."

In addition, Gov. John Engler last Thursday signed a bill into law prohibiting "those convicted of riot behavior, unlawful assembly, or civil disobedience from attending a State of Michigan college or university."

The literature also warns that runners may be photographed or video taped against their will and that those pictures may be sold on cable channels or the Internet.

While many students feel that the administration and DPS are overreacting, Brown said that the Naked Mile is a very serious issue.

"They say, 'Oh, the University just wants to squelch our fun.' No, fun is good. What we want is to keep people from getting hurt or worse, dying," she said.

Any students who are interested in volunteering for Naked Mile Safety should report to the Wedge Room in the West Quadrangle Residence Hall before 9 p.m. April 14. Student identification is required for volunteering.