The Daily Campus

Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: Commentary

It's that time of year again; with March Madness around the corner and Spring Weekend on the horizon, UConn students - and their livers - are gearing up for half-a-semester's worth of drinking and school spirit. With both of UConn's basketball teams doing exceptionally well this year, many have expressed concern that the spring party season could get just as out of control as it did in 2004.

After basketball season ended in 2004, the parties that ensued were chaotic, with cars being flipped over and set on fire. Spring Weekend wasn't much better. Fifty people were arrested, and numerous people were assaulted with everything from tire irons and knives to broken bottles and fists. Besides the assaults, there was plenty of vandalism around campus, as well.

This year, The Daily Campus would like to join with the UConn Police, USG and the administration in calling for students to be responsible when drinking and partying. Police Major Ronald Blicher wrote a few years ago that violence, fires, and vandalism are not acceptable. He echoed statements made by a student leader, who was quoted as saying "If people don't act like jerks, then we can party." The same thing applies this year.

No matter whether one of our teams wins a national championship - even if both do - students should have some respect for their fellow students. We all know that cars are pretty expensive. Repairing a broken headlight or windshield is a huge financial burden, but buying a new car is even worse. No student or Mansfield resident should be put through that hassle just because some people felt the desire to be destructive.

Every car or couch that burns and every assault that happens at a party will reflect poorly on UConn - and its students. Stories of UConn debauchery could be broadcast to people across the country. The national media was here in 2004 to show everyone what a den of destruction and debauchery the campus was. We don't want that again. Sure it may be fun to brag about now, but think about how it reflects on your degree a few years down the road when you're job hunting. If your university has a bad reputation, chances are that it will reflect poorly on you as well.

Students should also show some respect for UConn, and not just the school's image. Everyone has to attend class in or live in the buildings on campus. There is no reason for people to break windows of buildings or set fireworks off in the residence halls. This creates unnecessary trouble for everyone. Just have some respect for your fellow students, your university and yourself and everything will work out fine.

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