Spring Break
Officials stress safety, respect for community
Leaders hold press conference to discuss Homecoming week
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 10/10/05 Section: Campus News
With Homecoming week beginning today, university and city officials are stressing safety and responsibility while attending this week's activities.
At a press conference Thursday in the Presidents Room of Davies Center, Student Senate President Aaron Olson, Eau Claire Police Chief Jerry Matysik and Associate Dean of Student Development and Diversity Jodi Thesing-Ritter appealed to the student body to treat the community with respect this week.
"The stereotype of the drinking student needs to end, because we do so much more than that," Olson said. "Ninety-nine percent of students on this campus are valuable and productive members and proud members of this community and that needs to be realized."
But some students voiced concerns the university has gone too far in dictating student behavior.
Senior Scott Jensen criticized the university at the press conference, saying they were acting in an unnecessary parental role.
"We can vote, we can make our own decisions," Jensen said.
With a 13-9 vote, the Student Senate passed a resolution last week requesting Water Street bar owners to push back their opening times Saturday morning until after the 10 a.m. parade.
Senator Andrew Werthmann said he interviewed about 100 students and more than 70 disagreed with the resolution.
But Olson said he still believed Senate acted in students' best interest and the Senate is not anti-alcohol.
"I believe the students want to have a fun time and they want to have a safe time, more importantly," Olson said. "Those senators were all elected to speak for students, and with that vote, I'm confident that the will of the students was done."
Scott Hegwood, owner of The Nasty Habit Saloon, 341 Water St., said the university too often makes bar owners "out to be the bad guys," when the majority of early morning bar-goers are alumni and other of-age people.
"We will provide a safe and controlled environment," he said. "We will attempt to not over-serve and be responsible servers during homecoming."
At a press conference Thursday in the Presidents Room of Davies Center, Student Senate President Aaron Olson, Eau Claire Police Chief Jerry Matysik and Associate Dean of Student Development and Diversity Jodi Thesing-Ritter appealed to the student body to treat the community with respect this week.
"The stereotype of the drinking student needs to end, because we do so much more than that," Olson said. "Ninety-nine percent of students on this campus are valuable and productive members and proud members of this community and that needs to be realized."
But some students voiced concerns the university has gone too far in dictating student behavior.
Senior Scott Jensen criticized the university at the press conference, saying they were acting in an unnecessary parental role.
"We can vote, we can make our own decisions," Jensen said.
With a 13-9 vote, the Student Senate passed a resolution last week requesting Water Street bar owners to push back their opening times Saturday morning until after the 10 a.m. parade.
Senator Andrew Werthmann said he interviewed about 100 students and more than 70 disagreed with the resolution.
But Olson said he still believed Senate acted in students' best interest and the Senate is not anti-alcohol.
"I believe the students want to have a fun time and they want to have a safe time, more importantly," Olson said. "Those senators were all elected to speak for students, and with that vote, I'm confident that the will of the students was done."
Scott Hegwood, owner of The Nasty Habit Saloon, 341 Water St., said the university too often makes bar owners "out to be the bad guys," when the majority of early morning bar-goers are alumni and other of-age people.
"We will provide a safe and controlled environment," he said. "We will attempt to not over-serve and be responsible servers during homecoming."