The majority of students attending a public forum on the future of Spring Weekend expressed concerns about continuing the unsanctioned event, in light of the increasing incidents of violence, public drunkenness, and vandalism attributed mostly to non-student visitors.
About three dozen students turned out for the Dec. 3 forum, which took place in the Student Union and was sponsored by the University’s Undergraduate Student Government. Thomas Haggerty, USG president, presided over the meeting.
Haggerty said the USG wants to know how students and other members of the campus community feel about Spring Weekend before debating the issue and possibly taking a formal position on the matter at its Jan. 19 meeting. Students attending the forum were quick to voice their concerns about the unofficial tradition, which takes place on the last weekend before spring semester final exams.
“One of the things that I think has been toxic about Spring Weekend is our attitude and adherence to the idea that it is an important part of UConn tradition,” said Steven Sweeney, a senior. “This university has a lot to offer. The way we cling to Spring Weekend I don’t think is terribly productive.”
“No one is a fan of the violence of Spring Weekend,” said Vijay Sekhara, a junior. “When I think of Spring Weekend, I think of it as a celebration of the end of the academic year. … We need to separate that tradition from the violence and assaults that occur on campus.”
University police say that between 80 percent and 90 percent of the individuals they arrest each year during Spring Weekend involve people with no connection to the University. The same percentages apply to the number of individuals who are treated by University Health Services because they are dangerously intoxicated or injured in accidents or fights: most of them are not from UConn.
Despite increased efforts by UConn and state police to control crowds estimated to be as large as 10,000 to 15,000 in recent years, incidents of violence and aggression have continued. During Spring Weekend last April, junior Jafar Karzoun was brutally assaulted outside a restaurant just off campus on North Eagleville Road. Karzoun, 20, died of his injuries eight days later. A 19-year-old East Hartford man was later charged in connection with Karzoun’s death.
“The reality is people have died because of this event and that is unacceptable,” said Brien Buckman, chief financial officer for the USG. Buckman said he has not yet taken an official stance on what should be done with Spring Weekend, but said “we, as students and members of the community, need to really take a close look at what we want out of the event and what we can do to get there.”
Senior Kathleen Fox said adhering to tradition is not always a good thing. She pointed out that UConn’s tradition once included a practice of not allowing women to attend the University. “We need to look to the future, not to the past,” she said.
Spring Weekend 2011 will take place on Easter weekend, creating a problem for some student resident assistants who need to stay on campus when they would rather be home observing the religious holiday with family and friends, said sophomore Nellie Stagg, a resident assistant.
“Spring Weekend is out of control,” Stagg said. “The biggest problem is non-UConn students coming to campus. Look at who’s getting in fights and causing problems. It’s not the students. People come to UConn just to get into fights.”
Senior Jason Ortiz cautioned that increasing the police presence in an attempt to shut down Spring Weekend will likely have the opposite effect. When the University in 1998 tried to close X-Lot – a traditional gathering place during Spring Weekend – students responded violently resulting in numerous injuries, arrests, and property damage.
“One of the things we have to come to terms with is it is impossible to bring in enough police to stop Spring Weekend,” Ortiz said. “If we are looking at de-escalating Spring Weekend, more police will put us in exactly the opposite direction. … Spring Weekend is a celebration. Students consider it a part of UConn’s culture. That is something that is extremely difficult to erase.”
Freshman Josh Clarke said he would like to see the tradition continued.
“Spring Weekend really is a tradition,” Clarke said. “A lot of people will be disappointed, especially the younger generation here at UConn, if it is cancelled.”
A University Task Force composed of administrators, Mansfield officials, and police officers is currently reviewing various options in an attempt to de-escalate Spring Weekend. The task force is expected to submit its recommendations to President Philip Austin in the coming weeks.
The USG plans to sponsor additional forums this week. The next forum will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from noon to 3 p.m. in either the Student Union Lobby or Room 318/319. Additional forums may be held on Thursday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 10, Haggerty said, to give students and members of the University community ample time to participate. All of the upcoming forums will take place in the Student Union, with the times and locations to be announced, possibly the Student Union Lobby or in a meeting room.
