The Daily Campus

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Commentary

With Spring Weekend festivities beginning in earnest this evening as the student body and thousands of visitors descend upon the Carriage House Apartments, it is important that all of the attendees remain on their best behavior. Whenever thousands of people under the influence of copious amounts of alcohol congregate in one area, violence and chaos is only a step away. In order to avert any major issues and keep everyone safe this weekend, it is essential that UConn students and their visitors remember and abide by a few ground rules. All it takes is one person to ruin an otherwise enjoyable weekend for the rest of us.

First and foremost, it is important to remember that split-second decisions that you make tonight and this weekend can reap permanent consequences for both yourself and others. Forget the short-term consequences of hangovers - you can be dismissed from UConn for violating the Student Code of Conduct and/or violating the law (yes, off-campus behavior can result in on-campus sanctions). Even worse, your actions can physically harm yourself and others. We've all heard it before, but it is worth repeating: alcohol severely impairs your judgment.

If the personal responsibility argument isn't convincing to you, consider this: this campus is going to have more cops than a Krispy Kreme on Free Donut Day this weekend. If you don't keep yourself in line, law enforcement personnel will not hesitate to do it for you.

One key concept that has slipped many students' minds in the past is that you are responsible for ensuring that your guests maintain proper decorum during Spring Weekend. History has taught us that non-students cause a disproportionately high amount of the problems during Spring Weekend. When you invite a guest, remember that they are your responsibility.

We all want to have fun this weekend, and that is fine; we are all entitled to an enjoyable final "hoorah" before finals and the end of the school year. Unfortunately, some students have historically gone a little overboard and ruined their and others' weekends. In order to ensure that all of us are able to enjoy a safe, fun Spring Weekend, stay on your best behavior, and encourage your friends and guests to do the same. With local and state media covering the Spring Weekend festivities (some media outlets offer daily arrest totals throughout the weekend), it is essential that we not forget that all eyes are on UConn this weekend. Whether you are at Carriage, Celeron, X-Lot, Oozeball or any other Spring Weekend activity, have fun, but be safe.

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