Ohio University Student Senate members took a stand against student violence at fests last night, unanimously passing a resolution supporting increased law enforcement at upcoming fests.
The resolution also condemns irresponsible behavior such as arson and assault and comes after riot police shut down Palmerfest for the second year in a row after partygoers started a couch fire in the street at about 11 p.m.
Tim Vonville, Student Senate President during the 2007-2008 academic year and current graduate student studying law at Capital University in Columbus, attended last night's meeting and said he has had to field questions from potential employers about OU's party school image.
When I was interviewing for a job
I was asked point-blank what it was like to go to a party school Vonville said. That is not even a question you want brought up in an interview. You want to be asked what it was like to go to one of the best business schools or one of the best journalism schools in the country.
Vonville added that current students need to rehabilitate their behavior so when they graduate, they will not have to address similar questions while interviewing for a job.
Sponsors of the resolution agreed safety at fests is a top priority and stressed most students do not support the type of behavior - such as throwing bottles at police officers and lighting fires - that tarnishes OU's image.
(This behavior) happens primarily during the fests said John Calhoun, senator for Arts and Sciences. Right now
outside
I don't think anyone is setting fire to anything. ... And I haven't talked to a single student who has said 'Wow
I think it was really cool that we set the street on fire last weekend.'
Senate President Robert Leary said violent behavior at fests might lead to more Athens city ordinances being passed to restrict student partying.
Last year the nuisance party ordinance passed
and now there is the roof ordinance and the proposed noise ordinance
Leary said. The fests are just perpetuating that. What I prefer is what's happening this weekend - a drastic approach to these fests.
Athens City Council recently passed an ordinance that allows police officers to force people down from roofs if they are concurrently violating the city's noise, nuisance party or disorderly conduct ordinances. A second, proposed ordinance would increase police power to cite residents for noise violations.
In July, Athens City Council passed an ordinance giving police officers the power to shut down parties without first arresting anyone for nuisance violations. Previously, officers were required to arrest and charge partygoers with four separate nuisance violations before shutting down a party.
Calhoun also serves on the ad hoc committee responsible for re-drafting the proposed noise ordinance for City Council. The council sent the original draft of the ordinance back to the ad hoc committee after complaints of vague language and overly harsh penalties.
I was hoping that this noise ordinance would be a compromise because (students) are saying they support the community
Calhoun said. Now I have to go look the committee members in the face (at our meeting) Friday and try to tell them that students are responsible even after what happened at Palmerfest.
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