May 8, 2000

Students celebrated spring weekend peacefully with few injuries, little vandalism and few problems.

The weekend included two officially sanctioned activities: an oozeball tournament sponsored by the Student Alumni Association on Saturday and a Saturday night concert sponsored by the Student Union Board of Governors featuring the groups Outkast and Third Eye Blind.

Students also had a party at Carriage House Apartments on Thursday night, and a gathering on Saturday night at X-lot that had about 8,000 attendees, police said.

"Students were very cooperative and took the responsibility of keeping things safe," said Vicky L. Triponey, vice chancellor for student affairs. "We are pleased that the students worked so hard to celebrate responsibly."

Of the 48 people arrested during the weekend, only eight or 17 percent, were UConn students, Triponey said. Charges filed by UConn and state police included disorderly conduct, driving while intoxicated, possession of alcohol by a minor and breach of peace.

Residence hall incidents were minimal, and only 25 students were seen during evening hours from Thursday through Sunday by the Student Health Services, all for minor problems, Triponey said.

"By all accounts, the incidents of inappropriate behavior exhibited by our students were greatly reduced over recent years," she said, "and the non-violent approach to the weekend was evident throughout the weekend."

Triponey also said volunteers who worked throughout the campus "helped set the tone for the weekend and clearly contributed to the positive outcome. The bulk of the credit for a peaceful weekend goes to the UConn students who accepted our challenge to live within the parameters we set and worked together to keep the weekend safe.

"We did indeed make positive progress this weekend," she said, "thanks to a true team effort from our entire campus community."

Karen A. Grava