Is UPD now in hot water over this arrest at an SA Meeting?
Here's what NYS Committee on Open Government (COOG) had to say...
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
From: "dos.sm.Coog.InetCoog" <dosCOOG@dos.ny.gov>
To: "James Lamb" <JimLamb@usa.com>
Subject: RE: Criminal Tresspass Arrest at a UAlbany Student Association?
Good morning,
Please see our previously issued advisory opinions for guidance regarding exclusion from public meetings.
Ejection/Exclusion from Meeting
5286<https://docsopengovernment.dos.ny.gov/coog/otext/o5286.html>, 5552<https://docsopengovernment.dos.ny.gov/coog/otext/o5552.html>, 5670<https://docsopengovernment.dos.ny.gov/coog/otext/O5670.pdf>
Sincerely,
Christen L. Smith
Senior Attorney
Pronouns: she/her/hers
New York State Committee on Open Government
One Commerce Plaza, Albany, NY 12231
(518) 474-2518
http://www.opengovernment.ny.gov
-----Original Message-----
From: James Lamb <JimLamb@usa.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 10:34 AM
To: Moore, Kathleen <Kathleen.Moore@timesunion.com>
Cc: amaleszweski@albany.edu; Sa@albany.edu; dos.sm.Coog.InetCoog <dosCOOG@dos.ny.gov>; Editor-In-Chief <theasp.eic@gmail.com>; Laurence Socci <laurence.socci@soccilawfirm.com>
Subject: Criminal Tresspass Arrest at a UAlbany Student Association?
Did you see this yet, Kathleen?
https://www.albanystudentpress.com/post/sa-meeting-interrupted-by-arrest-regulation-of-ai-passed
How does attending a public meeting at a state university required to be open to the public by the state open meetings law constitute "criminal trespass?"
Coping in the state COOG here asking for an advisory opinion on this. If I were to attend an SA meeting after having questioned the Student Association's compliance with state law and student activity fee regulations, could I be arrested too as they have implied to me in the past through an attempt to intimidate me over my Dippikill petition advocacy, suggesting they opened a "criminal investigation?"
Should Dippikill advocate alums now fear attending Homecoming for fear of being arrested on some bogus charges because the University or the Student Association doesn't like the content of their speech and are willing to use government power as a weapon against dissent? Is this what New York has become? If so, glad I got out of New York State before it was too late.
This appears to be Nazi-like terror tactics intended to stifle dissent, free speech and the exercise of citizens' rights to attend meetings under state law. Unless there is some real, prior bona fide harassment and an order affording notice to not visit the campus, this is very disturbing and appears to be violation of civil rights under color of law just begging for a Federal 1983 civil rights action against UPD.
I think UPD and the University have some explaining to do here...
James