The Orange County Independent News from Orange County California
Chapman University in Orange like many Universities across the country holds a student “Undie Run” in which students run in their underwear during the week of finals testing to allow students to have some fun as the semester ends. This tradition has gone on for decades with little controversy or incidents.
Chapman University until last night has paid to both fence the park in the middle of the circle to keep students out, and paid the City of Orange to have Police Officers, usually on overtime, close Glassell Street and the Orange Circle to traffic while students do their traditional run starting at Midnight.
This year Dr. Jerry Price, Dean of Students at Chapman University, informed students that the Police Department advised the University that it was unable to provide Officers this year to close the streets to traffic and monitor the event. The Police Department has faced chronic understaffing issues for several years as Officers leave for higher pay and more opportunities at other agencies.
Fearing, with good cause, that the students would do the run regardless of Police presence, Chapman reportedly decided to try to protect the students with its own unarmed Public Safety (Security) force.
According to multiple sources employed by the University, the plan appeared to be implemented at the last minute and with little thought as to its legality and feasibility. Chapman University Public Safety Officers closed Glassell Street at midnight from Walnut Street to Palm Avenue with no clear legislative authority to do so as they have no police powers as a private security force.
One Chapman University employee speaking on condition of anonymity said “It feels like the City purposely set us up to fail”. That sentiment was echoed by 2 additional Chapman employees upon hearing the comment.
Many City Officials, including City Council members, have expressed animosity towards Chapman recently due in large part to Chapman paying little to no property taxes as a non profit educational institution. This exemption, known as the College Exemption, applies under California Revenue and Taxation Code section 203 and Article XIII, section 3(e) of the state Constitution. It covers buildings, land, equipment, and other property—whether owned or leased—that is used solely for educational activities by eligible nonprofit private colleges. The city has recently pushed the University to voluntarily pay a per student fee for each student. Chapman, according to people with direct knowledge, appears to have negotiated in good faith on this voluntary fee and a deal may be reached soon. This would be monies paid to the city completely voluntarily by Chapman University.
On property taxes, Chapman University appears to simply follow the tax laws as written. Additionally, the thousands of students and their families generate large tax revenues for the city through sales taxes on food, purchases and services. Many businesses experience significant downturns when the students are on breaks, illustrating the economic impact the students have on local sales.
While Chapman University Public Safety Officers blocked Glassell Street in front of of the University, the circle and another intersection were left completely unprotected. An estimated 1000 students, some having consumed alcohol before the run, entered the Orange Circle running in the street head on into traffic.
One motorist was so annoyed at having to wait for the students, that he blasted his horn non stop and drove on the wrong side of the road into the circle and the crowd of students. He then aggressively continued towards the students forcing them to move or potentially be hit by his vehicle. No police or Public Safety Officers were in the area. Orange Police have the ability to monitor several cameras in the circle. Despite the obvious conflict between the students and oncoming traffic, no Orange PD Officers or Chapman University Public Safety Officers responded to the Plaza area.
Approximately 15 minutes after the students left the area, Orange Police contacted a man in the fenced Plaza Park and detained him for nearly an hour as they tried to confirm that he worked for the company that placed the Christmas decorations. Once that was confirmed he was released. A total of 9 Police Officers were present at that incident, including 2 Sergeants. As several Chapman students watched the police activity, one young woman remarked “they can protect Christmas decorations but they left us to fend for ourselves in traffic”.
The next Undie Run is scheduled to occur at the end of the Spring semester, it remains to be seen how that can be managed, or if it will be cancelled. A legal battle on any issue between Chapman University, which has its own Law School, and the City of Orange, which is facing financial difficulties, should be avoided if at all possible. One long time Chapman University Professor told us on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to comment, “Chapman has been part of Orange for nearly 80 years, the city should get its finances in order and stop constantly looking at Chapman for money it does not rightfully owe, we pay our fair share and we always try to be good neighbors and support the city and many of its non profits generously”.
