Dear University at Albany Students: I regret to inform you that Albany City Police have contacted the University regarding a number of serious incidents that occurred off-campus early Saturday morning related to the St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration. The report reads, in part, as follows: "Albany police responded early this morning to several house parties and large groups of students out in the street that were drinking and destroying property in the area of Hudson Avenue and Ontario Street. Six college students have been arrested for charges ranging from disorderly conduct, riot, reckless endangerment and assaulting a police officer. At approximately 7:15 a.m. several hundred students gathered in the area surrounded by several house parties. The group became large and unruly and started to damage several cars parked in the area by attempting to overturn one and smashing car windows and caving in the roof of one car. They also threw furniture from second floor porches onto cars and the street and beer bottles at a large number of officers who had responded (to) quell the group." In addition to this report, there are a number of videos widely posted on the internet that display students hurling refrigerators and other objects while police officers were attempting to end the melee. University Police were called in to assist Albany City Police because of the outrageous conduct of these participants. To add to the seriousness of this situation, a University at Albany student was stabbed at a house party at his Quail Street residence and was hospitalized with serious, but not life-threatening, wounds. The behavior exhibited during this situation cannot be tolerated or condoned as harmless fun associated with a celebratory event. The University students who have been identified to us by Albany City Police will be referred through the campus judicial system and the behaviors addressed as appropriate to the student code of conduct. In addition to the arrested students, the University will work cooperatively with Albany City Police in the coming weeks to identify any other University students who are implicated. It is regrettable that, despite a letter from the University last week urging responsible behavior on this specific weekend, a number of students still choose to behave in this objectionable manner. The actions of the students involved in this excessive consumption of alcohol, destruction of property, assault of Albany City Police, and potential harm to the safety of others, reflect unfavorably on the entire student body and diminish the hard work of all the students who contribute positively to the quality of life in their Albany neighborhoods. Despite these regrettable occurrences, I have not lost sight of all the great things our students do in the local community and will recognize these students on March 18 at the "UAlbany in the Community" celebration in honor of their positive efforts. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely yours, George M. Philip President c. The Honorable Gerald D. Jennings, Mayor of Albany Steven Krokoff, Chief of Police, City of Albany J. Frank Wiley, Chief of Police, University at Albany Todd Hunsinger, President, Pine Hills Neighborhood Association