Code of Conduct undergoes revision
By: Kurt Oberreither
-Senior Staff Writer-
On Tuesday, Sept. 25, Elizabeth Kelley-Love, one of the former students involved in the fight that took place on the STLCC-Meramec campus last spring, was found guilty in the Kirkwood Municipal Court of assault, according to Meramec Police Officer Ed Ucinski.
Kelley-Love was sentenced to two years robation and 25 hours of community service, according to Ucinski, a witness for the prosecution. Another former student, Christopher Buckner, was charged with assault; Ucinski said Buckner’s lawyer and the prosecuting attorney, Sarah Mullen-Dominguez, reached a plea bargain before the trial.
The incident that occurred on April 9 resulted in the arrest of three individuals in which five were suspended. According to the Meramec Campus Police report, four females and one male were involved in an altercation. Kelley-Love and two of her friends were reportedly in an argument with Buckner’s sister, Rochelle Quarles, and after being separated by campus police, began fighting. A portion of the fight was recorded and the video went viral, garnering national attention.
In the video, Kelley-Love is seen holding a baby. Ucinski said the baby was Kelley-Love’s and family services were contacted. According to Ucinski, the video was asked to be shown in court but was dismissed.
Vice President of Student Affairs Linden Crawford said the fight that happened last spring was unusual to the campus. Crawford said there are two ways students can ensure a safe learning environment: call campus police to report a problem or file Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) report. The BIT report can be accessed through the Meramec homepage. Reports can be made anonymously.
Crawford said filing a BIT report is a method of preventing incidents on campus and offers students support.
“Having the BIT allows for intervention at a time that allows students to be helped, referred to campus resources, [such as] academic assistance, counseling or an outside agency,” Crawford said. “It allows faculty and staff an opportunity to interact with students in a more proactive manner and provide assistance that may not have been available before.”
Students can expect a change in the student code of conduct may include student behavior online, Crawford said. Also, Crawford said the BIT will soon be a district-wide organization.
“Having students informed of [safety procedures and precautions] gives us a sense of security,” Crawford said.
Students can also contact Campus Police at 314-984-7667 to report any issues.
