 "Photo: JOHN LARSON, THE VOLANTE, 2010")
Vandalism was reported in the early morning of April 22 by a USD professor after he had been criticized for a April 21 letter to the editor in support of a political group on campus.
Robert Swan, associate professor of political science and advisor to Students Against the State, said he woke up Thursday to find his gate fence kicked in and his garbage cans knocked over behind his house.
SATS and Swan have been scrutinized over the past week after a protest to the war against terrorism at the USD Veterans Club memorial behind Old Main. One SATS student set up the protest, marking planted posters with “SATS” and adding upside-down flags.
Freshman Patrick Linsenmeyer, the SATS official who set up the protest, said it would be reasonable to assume it’s in light of the protest that he did.
“It’s ridiculous that someone would do physical harm to Professor Swan’s property just because of some protest,” Linsenmeyer said. “It shows a high level of irresponsibility.”
Vermillion Police Chief Art Mabry said there are no suspects right now in the vandalism at Swan’s house and nothing points to his advisor role with SATS or letter to the editor published in The Volante
April 21.
“It’s coincidental that it would have happened in that moment in time,” Swan said about the vandalism occurring after the SATS incident. “It’s a little frightening but I can’t prove anything one way or another.”
Swan, who is in the process of showing his house to prospective owners, said he just had a house inspection Wednesday afternoon and was awake until 3 a.m. Thursday so the incident had to have occurred in the four-hour window between 3 and 7 a.m.
While damage was only done to his gate, Swan said several people have called, e-mailed or commented on The Volante website to see if they can help.
“I suspect it’s related to The Volante situation but I can’t prove it,” Swan
said. “I have turned down all help for those that feel bad about it.”
Swan commented on The Volante website Friday thanking all those that have offered to help with repairs to the vandalized portions of his property. He said it speaks well of the community.
A $200 reward for information leading to those involved in the vandalism is also being offered as of Sunday afternoon.
Josh Houy, a former student of Swan’s, posted a commented on The Volante website stating, “Please let it be known that I am offering 200.00 to anyone who provides me with information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the cowardly attacks on Dr. Swan’s home.”
Houy said he hopes his reward will help send the message that information should be brought forward about those involved.
“I have no idea whether they can catch them, but surely somebody knows something,” Houy said. “I would be very happy if information is provided.”
USD Veterans Club President Eric Gage said the student organization has offered to help Swan with any damages sustained. Gage said on The Volante website that the vandalism was unfortunate.
“Dr. Swan is a respected member of this school and he deserves to be treated as such,” Gage posted on The Volante website Saturday afternoon. “He ended up with the task of trying to control a group of young students who, by the simple fact they claim to be anarchists, probably don’t listen to authority very well.”
As for the incident that sparked much of the controversy at the veterans memorial April 20, Gage said Swan has acknowledged the act was inappropriate and SATS official Linsenmeyer has offered an apology to the veterans club. Gage said he has not decided whether the organization will accept the apology because he says it is a justification of Linsenmeyer’s acts, not an apology.
Tim Carr, Student Government Association president, said after sitting down with Linsenmeyer, he is very apologetic about the way he presented himself and he understands there are rules students have to follow as part of student organizations.
“As a governing body we have to make it clear that while everyone is entitled to their opinion and is guaranteed free speech and we vigorously try to protect that right,” Carr said. “At the same time we know there are rules and regulations in place that student organization have to follow.”
For a student organization to present themselves publicly on campus as a legitimate organization, Carr said they have to go through an approval process by SGA.
Organizations have to fill out an “intent to recognize” form to be heard at a SGA meeting, list organization officers, find an SGA sponsor and submit a constitution which is required to make clear there will be no discrimination that takes place during their events.
This process allows organizations to conduct free-speech-related events anywhere on campus as long as they don’t disrupt the classrooms.
With the incident in the past, Carr said there is not a disagreement by both parties involved on proper procedure or university regulations.
“What’s done is done, apology has been issued, SGA has made its position clear,” Carr said.
Reach reporter TJ Jerke at Tyler.Jerke@usd.edu.
4 comments
Add a edit function so I don't look like an illiterate moron already.
Sorry you were the victim of vandalism Swan, welsome to the club though. Let's not make this something it's not.