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Planning helps keep students safe during spring weekendby Karen A. Grava - May 1, 2006
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Students this year took safety messages about spring weekend to heart and participated in the University-sanctioned events in record numbers. The events planned and sponsored by the University included a special breakfast at Whitney Hall; residence hall carnivals; and a campus-wide picnic to celebrate Founders Day and the University’s 125th anniversary that was attended by more than 10,000 people.
These events “went off without a hitch, and with very high and enthusiastic participation,” said John Saddlemire, vice president for student affairs. “The Saturday night concert was a rousing success, too. Students had an abundance of non-alcoholic events to attend, and they took advantage of that.” Saddlemire credited UConn and state police with “magnificent work” keeping students safe throughout the weekend. The weekend ended with 43 arrests by UConn police, considerably fewer than in past spring weekends. And, as in past years, the majority of the people who were arrested – 35, or 81 percent – had no UConn affiliation.
The weekend was viewed as successful, said Major Ronald Blicher of the UConn police, with smaller crowds at unsanctioned events at Carriage House, Celeron Square, and X-lot than in previous years. One casualty of Saturday’s rain was the rope pull. Designed to recreate a tradition that lasted from 1900 to 1950, the event has been rescheduled for Homecoming Weekend in the fall. Oozeball – volleyball in the mud – was very successful, with more than 930 participants, up nearly 20 percent over last year. Sponsored by the Alumni Association, the tournament this year had 128 teams, compared with 100 last year. It was won by a team called Web of Lies, with the aptly named Dirtballs winning second place. |
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