UF had no choice but to respond quickly—students are already on campus at the Plaza of the Americas protesting UPD’s treatment of Andrew Meyer.

Patricia Telles-Irvin, the Vice President for Student Affairs at UF, sent out a university-wide email today updating students on the University’s plan to respond to and investigate the incident. (Full email after the jump.)

“I would like to assure you that the University is interested in learning what happened,” writes Telles-Irvin.

Apparently UF doesn’t realize that YouTube has video footage of the incident—it’s pretty clear what happened, and thousands of people have already seen it.

Telles-Irwin wants an objective and impartial investigation, which should be pretty easy, considering the incident was recorded from multiple viewpoints by observers, and the incident appears to have been collectively covered from start to finish.

At least one thing is for certain—the po-po is in some deep doo-doo.

According to Telles-Irwin: “Two officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Even the state is involved. Good luck rent-a-cops: “The State Attorney's Office will review the charges brought against Mr. Meyer.”

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The full email:

From: Student Government <please-do-not-reply@lists.ufl.edu >
Date: Sep 18, 2007 1:58 PM
Subject: Incident at Senator Kerry Forum
To: UF-STUDENTS-L@lists.ufl.edu

As you are by now aware, yesterday afternoon, as a town hall forum with
Senator John Kerry was ending, there was an incident in which a student
was tasered. Many of you, and many of your parents, have expressed your
concerns regarding this incident to me and my staff. I would like to
assure you that the University is interested in learning what happened and
in ensuring that we utilize best practice protocols in maintaining a safe
campus environment while protecting the freedom to speak.

I would like to reiterate the immediate steps, laid out by President
Machen in his letter to the university community, which are being taken in
response to the incident.

University of Florida Police Chief Linda Stump has requested the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement conduct a formal investigation into the
arrest of UF student Andrew Meyer. An independent review such as this will
make sure the results are objective and impartial. Chief Stump's priority
is to ensure that the public remains confident in the department's ability
to keep the campus safe.

Two officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid
administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The institution plans to assemble a panel of faculty and students to
review our police protocols, our management practices and the FDLE report
to come up with a series of recommendations for the university.

Administrators and police officials plan to analyze the incident and
conduct an internal review and will consider changing protocols in
response to this incident, if necessary.

Finally, as is standard procedure, the State Attorney's Office will review
the charges brought against Mr. Meyer. We have communicated with the State
Attorney and understand that a review of the case will be expedited.

We plan to keep students updated on any progress through our website,
www.vpsa.ufl.edu.

Sincerely,

Patricia Telles-Irvin
Vice President for Student Affairs