Not sure if you guys/gals saw this in the paper (located in the Campus Forum section), but it applies to me and everyone else that spend long nights in Broughton computer lab.

Quote :

"Unacceptable behavior from Campus Police At 11:28 p.m. on Oct. 26, around 15 engineers, including myself, received Campus Appearance Tickets from four University police officers for trespassing and violating University rules and regulations. Some of the tickets, including mine, included a charge of contempt. We were trespassed from Broughton Hall's computer lab for being there after hours. The lab was open all day, and we had been there all day. No one came by to lock up the lab or kick us out, so we had no idea it was even closed. With our curriculum, we have spent many, many nights in that lab doing assignments. Tonight, we were developing a community outreach program for our NASA Microgravity University project. This is an optional project we are applying for, and we hope to represent NCSU well in front of NASA. We are planning on giving science presentations to high school students in under-funded schools. Out of nowhere, four Campus Police officers stormed in, demanded IDs, and allowed no one to leave. With no prior warning, we were all ticketed. Trespassing is defined as unauthorized or forceful entry into a building. We had been there all day, and were told by the lab technician to just have the last person close the door when we left. Without knowing any better, I assumed this to be authorization. The real shame here is that this technician may now get in some trouble during our appeal process. In reality, this guy was just trying to help us out because he understood we had a ton of work to do. He has seen us in there every night, all night, for the entire semester. The reason I was charged with contempt was because the officer had to ask me three times to give my parents' home phone number. I have not lived there in years and assumed that under the privacy act, I did not have to yield this impertinent information. I finally conceded the information after politely trying to explain myself. A couple of the officers were professional, but my ticketing officer was very rude through the whole process and seemed to enjoy picking on studious nerds. He grinned as he told me the charges. It's a pretty pathetic way to get a laugh if you ask me. I am thoroughly disgusted with how he handled himself and this situation. Seeing as I was already being charged with contempt, I refused to sign the document, which I was told is not mandatory if you are already considered "contemptuous." I did not want to be contemptuous, but the whole situation seemed a little ridiculous. I probably sound pretty "contemptuous" right now, but as a senior with a 3.61 GPA, who made Dean's List for 6 consecutive semesters, I did not expect to be disciplined for studying in a building that I find myself in more often than not. These lab reports usually require a minimum of 12 hours of work. Some of the necessary programs for the reports are only available on engineering computers. The fact that campus resources were wasted on us is absurd. I happen to know most of the students in that lab and they are some of the most disciplined and law-abiding people I know. The fact that this was executed like a "sting operation" almost makes it unbelievable. I would expect to laugh at something like this while I watch it in a movie. I have not paid tuition for the last four years to be subjected to this kind of ridiculous behavior. My character and my record are being slandered. I have represented this University well and do not appreciate this attack. I understand that this kind of thing is usually handled internally, but I believe we are all owed some sort of apology. All the aerospace engineers I work with are undergoing an extremely tough semester, the hardest of our collegiate careers. Some of us spend more than 14 hours a day on campus and get little sleep. We also continue working on our assignments over the weekend. Under this amount of stress, tonight's ticket was the last thing we need on our palates. Daniel Watts Senior, Aerospace Engineering"

Quote :

"Disagreement with Campus Police I came to this school in order to learn and better myself. In the process, my goals came into conflict with the law. At 11:30 pm on Thursday October 26, four police officers (who shall remain nameless for now) came into 1402 Broughton Hall and apprehended about a dozen aerospace engineers. At the time we were integrating pressure coefficients over a NACA 0015 airfoil, which involves no illicit substances nor any sociopathic behavior. Within minutes the police had charged us with "trespassing" and "violation of University rules, regulations, or policies." I and another student added "contempt" to this dubious list by refusing to sign the Campus Appearance Ticket. I did not pay $11,000 a year to come to this school and get hassled by the authorities. If I want to spend 24 hours a day in a NCSU computer lab, that is my own business and not someone else's. My tuition paid for these computers. For those of us who reluctantly show our campus IDs at the request of police officers in the wee hours of the night: Should we really be required to do that? I have heard the excuse several times: "What if a homeless person snuck into the computer lab? Then you'd be sorry!" I would not in the least be offended if a hobo crawled into the lab and curled up in a corner for a little nap. If he hustled me for money, then I should escort him out. But the police?! The purpose of laws are to keep people from getting hurt and killed and, in the process, contribute to the betterment of society. Did either occur on that night? The very premise of assigning criminal status to anyone who poses an inconvenience is sketchy at best, and Big Brother at worst. When asked about his opinion on the separation of church and state, Thomas Jefferson had this to say: "But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are 20 gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." Whose leg was broken and whose pocket was picked by my being in Broughton Hall? Alden Hall Junior, Aerospace Engineering "

Summary

Students doing projects, homework, etc. in the computer lab late one night receive Campus Appearance Tickets for trespassing and violating University rules and regulations.

10/30/2006 5:01:12 PM

sucks. If AE students were subjected to this every semester, their senior projects would never get done.
hope you can get some clarity on the rules and students can get official authority from the department head or dean or whoever to work throughout the night in the labs

10/30/2006 5:06:54 PM

good 'ol NC State

10/30/2006 5:08:07 PM

i'll be in broughton past 11 pm tonight

COME GET ME ASSHOLES

10/30/2006 5:09:59 PM

i'm so fucking glad i graduated wtih CPE/EE and got the FUCK out. NCSU will screw you any and EVERY way they can. Be it money, time, policies, rules, sports tickets, money, money or money!

10/30/2006 5:10:00 PM

I saw this... It's the dumbist shit I have ever heard. Apparently we're not allowed to use the buildings we pay to build/maintain anymore (I understand they technically weren't supposed to be there, but they were under the impression they could stay because the lab guy said they could be there.). What the hell is wrong with these cops anyway, it sounds like they didn't tell em to to get out, just gave em tickets with no warnings. All four of them need to be fired or shot.

This kind of bullshit is why I have very little respect for most cops.

10/30/2006 5:11:08 PM

if thewolfweb has taught us nothing else it is to not believe everything students who got a ticket say. I WAS LIKE A SAINT BUT HE BEAT ME AND SPRAYED ME WITH MACE.

that said (and assuming this is all true), it is unfortunate, but not completely unjustified. i understand that you have a hard semester, but that you should know that ignorance of the law is no excuse.

if im not mistaken, there are labs in the engineering area that are open 24/7 or at least until very late. if correct, you took a chance by just staying where you were and suffered some unfortunate consequences. it happens, now you know. if not correct, you shouldnt feel sorry for the lab tech who gave you wrong information and got you a ticket.

most of this whining, however, seems to stem from the officer's disposition. assuming that the cop was "just out to get you" is sympathy fishing 101. for me, it has the opposite effect, thus my post.

live and learn i say.

10/30/2006 5:12:53 PM

it seems like they're in that particular building/room a lot, and have never had problems before. i think it's really stupid that they got written up for trying to finish the homework for a very tough major.

10/30/2006 5:19:56 PM

Quote :

"We were trespassed from Broughton Hall's computer lab "

thats going to fuck up their semester even more.

10/30/2006 5:21:35 PM

may seem stupid, but we cant just have students wandering around a bunch of buildings under the guise of hw or a tough semester. look at it from a security standpoint.

10/30/2006 5:25:29 PM

it's a pretty shitty thing to have happen . . . but if it went down anything like that, then I think the officers should have handled it differently.

Checked id's to make sure they are students, and then tell them the lab is closed and that they have to leave.

10/30/2006 5:42:49 PM

asking a senior (~22yr old) for their parent's phone number

10/30/2006 5:43:26 PM

& what was your major cryion?

[Edited on October 30, 2006 at 5:48 PM. Reason : *]

10/30/2006 5:43:38 PM

haha campus safety is at it again

you should post the name of the security guard who was so insane

[Edited on October 30, 2006 at 5:46 PM. Reason : s]

10/30/2006 5:45:57 PM

this is fucking retarded to do without any kind of warning. ive spent many late nights in that lab and have never been told to leave. if people staying late was becoming a problem they should have just asked people to leave, directing them to a 24 hour lab. only after that should they start to write citations. this is absolutely absurd. i know if i was there i would be one of them getting charged with contempt because i would have told those power hungry douchebags that they should be out on campus protecting people and not harassing some students in a lab. absolutely ridiculous.

i dont know any of the students involved (well that i know of) but you can be sure that i will be writing some letters over this and encourage others to do the same. this is a flagrant display of some douchebaggery

10/30/2006 5:46:13 PM

Quote :

"asking a senior (~22yr old) for their parent's phone number "

honestly.

10/30/2006 5:51:03 PM

Quote :

"may seem stupid, but we cant just have students wandering around a bunch of buildings under the guise of hw or a tough semester. look at it from a security standpoint."

if it was a becoming a problem they should have just asked the kids to leave, telling them that it was becoming a problem and that next time they would be issued citations.

10/30/2006 5:53:36 PM

one of the guys that got busted was my roommate

the dept took care of it, supposedly the dept is pissed at the cops and tore them a new one

shouldnt be a problem any more

Quote :

"if it was a becoming a problem they should have just asked the kids to leave, telling them that it was becoming a problem and that next time they would be issued citations."

my roommate said that they were there (all the people that got busted) after hours the night before and the douchebag cop that the kid in the first post wrote about told them to get the fuck out

[Edited on October 30, 2006 at 5:57 PM. Reason : .]

10/30/2006 5:55:01 PM

Quote :

" may seem stupid, but we cant just have students wandering around a bunch of buildings under the guise of hw or a tough semester. look at it from a security standpoint."

I agree if a building is closed students shouldn't around it. However, ME and AE students have been doing this for years with no problem.

Quote :

" Checked id's to make sure they are students, and then tell them the lab is closed and that they have to leave."

That would be the best way to handle this situation.


[Edited on October 30, 2006 at 5:58 PM. Reason : .]

10/30/2006 5:58:03 PM

Broughton is never closed

10/30/2006 6:00:33 PM

Quote :

"& what was your major cryion?"

computer science

[Edited on October 30, 2006 at 6:04 PM. Reason : i agree it would have been better to just warn them, but it wasnt completely crazy]

10/30/2006 6:03:34 PM

this comes about the same time as an incident involving some Agronomy students attending a club meeting in williams hall, they were cited for breaking and entering for tugging on the back doors that are sometimes open for these events. This was a planned meeting with faculty oversight, not some random stuff. Three were cited. While I was not there, the accounts I have heard reflect the same attitude, the cops were rude, even to senior faculty who went to explain that the students were not in the wrong. The charges were dropped at the hearing. Go in there and argue your ass off!

Heres the deal: NCSU has had several head locksmiths over the last few years and the key record keeping system is a joke. There have been entire rings of master keys lost, and several grand masters lost or given to people that didnt need to have them. Stuff was getting stolen from williams left and right, from locked offices. Instead of rekeying the locks ( the BEST key system has a tremendous number of variables, and the keys are cleaved instead of ground like the stuff from home depot) they are getting the cops to harass the students.

The NCSU popo has long been a shady bunch, the guy that was the chief for so long was allowed to retire before the SBI charged him with wire tapping his own employees phones. The resulting investigation revealed that the cops had spent state money on things like a nice stereo( for listening to audio recordings of investigatons) that was at someones house, and a $400 leather jacket for undercover work.

The police horse thing is bull shit, the woman that rides him cannot get on it with out going to a park bench. Also, Stafford is a dick. <--- no real relevance to this topic, but true.

10/30/2006 6:09:43 PM

Quote :

"may seem stupid, but we cant just have students wandering around a bunch of buildings under the guise of hw or a tough semester. look at it from a security standpoint"

that's fucking stupid as shit. Every other major university I have visited or attended allows people in the buildings at all hours of the night. Especially engineering buildings, there will always at least be some graduate students roaming around. Even Maryland in the middle of the fucking ghetto, where people get robed at gun point walking around, people are allowed in the buildings -- your student ID is a swipe card. It's probably the only safe place to be a 3am in college park.


I just read the original post and must say that the students were in trouble for staying in the computer lab, which closes at 11pm or whatever. They had no right to be in there after hours. The crime was not just being in the building right?

The computer labs should stay open, but since they close the person should have moved to LEZ.


and Alden Hall's response is pretty funny and lame at the same time.

[Edited on October 30, 2006 at 6:39 PM. Reason : .]

10/30/2006 6:31:42 PM

See "The Infinite Corridor" at MIT
shit's nuts.

10/30/2006 6:43:44 PM

^^ i understand where you are going, but you are both agreeing with me and disagreeing with me in the same breath.

you've got a policy that says they arent supposed to be in there. doesnt matter whether they should be allowed or not, you cant get mad at them for enforcing it.

i can see why you might think i was arguing for students not being allowed in there, but that wasnt my intention.

10/30/2006 7:05:29 PM

^
I think the argument (and the truth/uncertainty) is how they enforced it, not that they did enforce it. I can't count the number of times I was in Daniels or Withers until the early hours of the morning ... most of the time they left you the hell alone. Again, murky details.

I'd like to hear more on how the department is handling this. They typically don't put up with harassment of their students; had it been graduate students in that lab instead of undergraduate ... there would most likely be a public apology of misunderstanding by now.

10/30/2006 7:14:28 PM

This is absolute bullshit.

10/30/2006 7:15:21 PM

WTF?

I'm an ME myself, and I've spent many late nights in the Broughton lab. It's crazy that students could get tickets for trying to study.

10/30/2006 7:21:49 PM

hahahahhahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahaha



"OMG I HAVE A 3.61 GPA I SHOULDN'T BE HASSLED BY THE COPS"






fucking losers

10/30/2006 7:33:19 PM

Quote :

"Quote : " However, ME and AE students have been doing this for years with no problem. "

Yes we have, I even spent a few nights in broughton working on my senior design projects...

those showers in the basement rock

I think they are talking about the lab on the 4th deck.....people are always in those too


stupid cops

10/30/2006 7:39:51 PM

Nerdchick:
What's the point in making the font color blue?

10/30/2006 7:47:31 PM

what the fuck does it matter to you

10/30/2006 7:48:48 PM

10/30/2006 7:50:50 PM

Man, that fuckin sucks. Piss on them.

10/30/2006 8:03:10 PM

Cyrion, I think the main complaint is that trespassing is unauthorized entry, and they believed they had authorization. Then they end up with tickets. In that case, I'd be pissed too. Otherwise, they should go cry about it elsewhere...

10/30/2006 9:00:08 PM

Fuck that shit, I bet those cops don't know the code to the senior design computer lab. I was in there until about 3:30am half of last week.

10/30/2006 10:17:51 PM

You (you as in AE seniors) are authorized to be in the SR lab at any time. The regular labs close at 11:00. True, you (you as in the juniors who got ticketed) should technically have not been in there. The cops should have escorted you to Laundry or that other 24 hour lab. It was within their rights to kick you out, but writing tickets was just a dick move.

I had a small run-in with a cop my senior year. The AE students in senior design routinely prop open the front doors to the building because all entrances are locked at 11:00pm. Students go out for smoke breaks or to get some fresh air or to grab a bite to eat (or just show up after 11:00) and find themselves locked out of the building. Undergrad students are not allowed to rent building keys (the team leaders of each team has a key, but no one else), so we would have to come up with various ways to break in. The men's bathroom on the first floor, beside the downhill entrance on Stinson Ave, typically has an open window. That was my favorite route to break in. Of course, we always try banging on the door until someone comes and lets us in, but at 3 in the morning, there are typically very few people there, and the ones that are there are using loud power tools, so knocking on the door rarely works. There's also another window that leads to the boiler room next to the loading dock behind the building that's sometimes open.
Anyway, I was going out for a breath of fresh air at some point in my senior year when a cop noticed that the door was propped open. She came over and asked if I was the one who put in the prop. I wasn't, but she said that we weren't allowed to do that. (She was very nice and polite about the whole thing.) I explained the reasons that they're always propped open, and she was actually pretty sympathetic to my cause. She was completely baffled that we didn't have keys or any other way to be let in after 11:00pm. But she had to follow her orders, so she told me that people were going to start getting in trouble for propping the doors open.

I believe the main reason they lock the doors is that homeless people made a habit of sleeping in the student lounge when the doors were unlocked. The maintenance staff who came in at 4:00am were very uncomfortable being almost alone in the building with no idea who might be in any classroom or lounge. The incident that pushed the administration over the edge was when the RPD chased a homeless person through campus late one night several years ago. He ran into Broughton and got chased up to the 4th floor, where he jumped out of a bathroom window. Caused a bit of a stink for the department...

[Edited on October 30, 2006 at 10:38 PM. Reason : ]

10/30/2006 10:36:33 PM

nah scstl, i get it. id be pissed too, but it isnt some huge controversy to get in a fuss about, write into the paper, and bombard tww with.

cops went a little far, nothing new. people are gonna be assholes, only so much you can do about it. in this case whining to their superiors seems to have been the wise move.

10/30/2006 10:48:12 PM

being trespassed from the building your major is housed in because you were doing work for your major is a bit more than ridiculous

but the powers that be will probably spin this into something so they can say they did their job and "protected the members of the university community"

In these situations, NCSU is like the prison camp in Cool Hand Luke

-"Sorry, Luke. I'm just doing my job. You gotta appreciate that."

-"Nah - calling it your job don't make it right, Boss."

10/30/2006 11:04:14 PM

Quote :

"The men's bathroom on the first floor, beside the downhill entrance on Stinson Ave, typically has an open window. That was my favorite route to break in. "

Todd you are right about those spots, my favorite was the bathroom

the window was always open

10/30/2006 11:08:28 PM

yes this is complete bullshit. however, as stated earlier, the MAE administration is taking care of it. hopefully those tickets will be thrown out entirely and hopefully that asshole cop will be torn a new one. (and if the campus police are reading this, go sit on a dick and rotate). i understand the idea but there is no reason the campus police should act all gestapo-ish and demand ID's and be very rude to students, especially in their own building. and seriosuly, parents phone number? wtf is that about? college seniors ever rarely live with their parents.

10/31/2006 12:01:51 AM

Weaver has a key pad on the door. They give the code to seniors (me being one of them) so they can enter the building to use the labs or senior design room anytime. Maybe Broughton should implement the same thing on one of their doors.

10/31/2006 12:03:02 AM

senior design students for AE and ME have their own lab with a keypad entry. however, only seniors have access to that room which is already limited with computers.

10/31/2006 12:05:08 AM

it's responses like these that prove y'all don't know shit about shit.

10/31/2006 12:17:17 AM

wtf are u talkin about

10/31/2006 12:33:46 AM

if you don't see it, then i'm sure as hell not going to explain it to you

10/31/2006 12:36:57 AM

i guess i'll never know then

10/31/2006 12:40:54 AM

you guys dont know shit about shit

ok, explain it to me

IM NOT TELLIN

10/31/2006 12:44:08 AM

sorry asshole; it's not my job, nor my obligation, to point out the obvious, yet expected, error in all of this.

10/31/2006 12:46:16 AM

its just your job to act like a taint, i know

10/31/2006 12:49:49 AM