Spring Break
Police prepare for homecoming
Student Senate president proposes delaying bar opening to curb alcohol abuse at parade
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: Campus News
On the heels of more than 100 underage drinking citations issued last weekend, some UW-Eau Claire students, such as junior Jerimiah Bartlett, are worried an increase in law enforcement could make for a less-than-enthusiastic homecoming celebration on Oct. 15.
"I think if they continue busting parties, it's really going to be a downer - not just the party scene, but school spirit," Bartlett said. "This is about the only time kids actually go to a game. It takes away from kids getting out there and being proud to be a Blugold."
But University Police Chief David Sprick and Student Senate President Aaron Olson insist that planning for a safer homecoming does not mean less fun for students.
The Homecoming Executive Board, which includes students, administrators and police, met throughout the summer as well as Monday to lay out plans dealing with this year's Homecoming.
"Students should not feel threatened," Olson said. "The goal in this is safety. We all agree that we can have a good time, and this is an event celebrating being a student."
Sprick said many measures are in line to address alcohol-related problems on homecoming weekend.
"We are promoting what's being called a 'safe and sane' Homecoming 2005," he said. "There is definitely an interest in festive events, but along with that, there is also going to be an effort to discourage high-risk drinking."
One of the biggest issues the board is looking at is how to handle the Saturday morning parade, which will run primarily along First Avenue.
The group will meet with Water Street bar owners tomorrow, and Olson said he will propose the bars not open until after the parade is over.
"It's been a tradition to go to bars at 7 a.m. or earlier, and in my opinion, that leads to the homecoming parade not being a parade," he said. "We want the actual parade to not be an alcohol event with the parade in there as well."
Sprick added the open-container laws will be enforced throughout the weekend.
"I think if they continue busting parties, it's really going to be a downer - not just the party scene, but school spirit," Bartlett said. "This is about the only time kids actually go to a game. It takes away from kids getting out there and being proud to be a Blugold."
But University Police Chief David Sprick and Student Senate President Aaron Olson insist that planning for a safer homecoming does not mean less fun for students.
The Homecoming Executive Board, which includes students, administrators and police, met throughout the summer as well as Monday to lay out plans dealing with this year's Homecoming.
"Students should not feel threatened," Olson said. "The goal in this is safety. We all agree that we can have a good time, and this is an event celebrating being a student."
Sprick said many measures are in line to address alcohol-related problems on homecoming weekend.
"We are promoting what's being called a 'safe and sane' Homecoming 2005," he said. "There is definitely an interest in festive events, but along with that, there is also going to be an effort to discourage high-risk drinking."
One of the biggest issues the board is looking at is how to handle the Saturday morning parade, which will run primarily along First Avenue.
The group will meet with Water Street bar owners tomorrow, and Olson said he will propose the bars not open until after the parade is over.
"It's been a tradition to go to bars at 7 a.m. or earlier, and in my opinion, that leads to the homecoming parade not being a parade," he said. "We want the actual parade to not be an alcohol event with the parade in there as well."
Sprick added the open-container laws will be enforced throughout the weekend.