Myths, Not Just Drinks, Feed Celebratory Riots

Madison, Wis.—Feb. 7 —Although alcohol can be a major contributor to a campus disturbance such as a celebratory riot, it is not the only factor. Other factors include the belief that rioting is a “normal” part of college life, said Linda Langford, associate director of the Center for College Health & Safety at the Education Development Center.

Langford addressed how to undo this belief during the live online seminar “Riots in Campus Communities: Practical Strategies for Prevention” on February 7. She was joined by co-presenter Cynthia Buettner, director of research for the Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology.

It’s challenging to talk about disturbances publicly without adding to the perception that such disturbances are the norm, Buettner acknowledged. For example, when local media covered meetings of an OSU riot prevention task force, they frequently played footage or ran photos of a major disturbance that occurred near campus in 2002. Although these images made for compelling news, they also reinforced the myth that rioting is to be expected.

During the seminar, Langford and Buettner offered suggestions for using new communication and public relations strategies to reduce this misperception. If you missed the live event and would like to order a transcript or CD of the event, visit http://www.magnapubs.com/catalog/cds/599441-1.html.

For more information, please contact David Burns, publisher, Magna Publications, Inc., at 608-227-8109 or dburns@magnapubs.com.