2008 Woodie Awards
Rejecting the party school stigma
Tina Ortiz, Collegian Columnist
Issue date: 9/9/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
It's clear that the university is taking drastic steps toward shedding itself of the notorious party school image. But is there something positive to be taken from our party school stigma?
Dec. 17, 2006 Southwest Residential Area: 1800 students riot after the University of Massachusetts football team loses to Appalachian State.
I will admit that it's pathetic that our generation doesn't gather with this must intensity about things that actually matter, but the view from my window on the 22nd floor of Kennedy was gripping. Riots by nature cause a sensory overload, and as freshman, I found it nothing short of thrilling. I remember witnessing the irrepressible chaos that encompassed my entire line of vision while the pounding cacophony of the crowd assaulted my ear drums.
The threats that barked over the loudspeaker sounded discordant and electronic by the time it echoed up to my floor. The words melted together and all I heard were static and vowels over the loud chanting. Under blinding riot lights, the sight I saw can only be described as primal pandemonium.
Police presence, especially in Southwest, has skyrocketed since my freshman year. The UMass Police Department sets up shop in Southwest before any large sporting event, eagerly waiting to make an example out of anyone who attempts to disturb the peace.
I challenge those who claim that increased police presence means a safer, less violent campus. I'm not entirely sure, but I can see how someone could argue that it may just create new problems.
All the effort put towards increasing police presence hasn't caused a party scene moratorium, but rather a metamorphosis. Those who are called to party know that the "safest" way to get away with it, ironically enough, is to do so in large numbers and in one central place.
It's one of the qualities that makes the UMass student body unique. Our ability to effectively utilize the power in numbers theory, even by means of entertainment, is impressive. There're aren't enough holding cells for all of us, so if 500 people all choose to pack into the quad at the Townhouses or clog the sidewalks of Hobart, then officials are forced to switch gears from arresting people, to crowd control.
Dec. 17, 2006 Southwest Residential Area: 1800 students riot after the University of Massachusetts football team loses to Appalachian State.
I will admit that it's pathetic that our generation doesn't gather with this must intensity about things that actually matter, but the view from my window on the 22nd floor of Kennedy was gripping. Riots by nature cause a sensory overload, and as freshman, I found it nothing short of thrilling. I remember witnessing the irrepressible chaos that encompassed my entire line of vision while the pounding cacophony of the crowd assaulted my ear drums.
The threats that barked over the loudspeaker sounded discordant and electronic by the time it echoed up to my floor. The words melted together and all I heard were static and vowels over the loud chanting. Under blinding riot lights, the sight I saw can only be described as primal pandemonium.
Police presence, especially in Southwest, has skyrocketed since my freshman year. The UMass Police Department sets up shop in Southwest before any large sporting event, eagerly waiting to make an example out of anyone who attempts to disturb the peace.
I challenge those who claim that increased police presence means a safer, less violent campus. I'm not entirely sure, but I can see how someone could argue that it may just create new problems.
All the effort put towards increasing police presence hasn't caused a party scene moratorium, but rather a metamorphosis. Those who are called to party know that the "safest" way to get away with it, ironically enough, is to do so in large numbers and in one central place.
It's one of the qualities that makes the UMass student body unique. Our ability to effectively utilize the power in numbers theory, even by means of entertainment, is impressive. There're aren't enough holding cells for all of us, so if 500 people all choose to pack into the quad at the Townhouses or clog the sidewalks of Hobart, then officials are forced to switch gears from arresting people, to crowd control.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
K
posted 9/09/08 @ 9:20 PM EST
"the view from my window on the 22nd floor of Kennedy was gripping. Riots by nature cause a sensory overload, and as freshman, I found it nothing short of thrilling. (Continued…)
Ed
posted 9/10/08 @ 1:04 AM EST
Lets get real here. A fired university administrator who wasn't even in the same TIME ZONE made a damn stupid call and ordered the cops to attack the students. (Continued…)
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