In 2013, a riot broke out on St. Patrick’s Day evening, when more than 1,000 people gathered on Keifaber Street and students were jumping on cars, throwing glass beer bottles and yelling at police officers. Police from 10 jurisdictions responded to the incident, which was the first major St. Patrick’s Day problem since the 1990s.
In the last several years UD tournament games have coincided with St. Patrick’s Day weekend. On Friday at 7 p.m. the UD Flyers men’s basketball team will play Wichita State University in Indianapolis. If UD wins, the team will play again on Sunday.
Chatman said university officials and student groups are working together to make sure there are no problems this year, following the same model as last year. Students are being urged to contact UD Public Safety at 229-2121 to report problems and to ask for help if crowds get out of control.
“If you want to be treated like adults, act like adults,” said Brendan Sweetman, president of the Student Government Association, at a UD news conference on Monday.
UD will strictly enforce all laws, student code of conduct rules and UD policies governing disruptive conduct, building occupancy, underage drinking, and other alcohol violations, according to a fact sheet on UD plans.
Visitors will be banned from the UD residence halls March 16-19 and students will be required to enter only through the front door of the buildings.
“This isn’t the weekend to have somebody come stay with you,” said Christine Schramm, associate vice president for student development and dean of students.
Students can be cited for violations through the court and student discipline systems and could face suspension, expulsion, loss of scholarships and criminal charges.
Students, parents and guardians have been sent letters asking for cooperation in making it a safe weekend.
“Any time there is an arrest, anytime there is an injury it is one too many,” Chatman said.
UD has had a history of problems on St. Patrick’s Day, including fires, damage to buildings and an alumnus who was paralyzed while attempting to jump from one roof to another in 1989.
The University of Dayton issued 871 drinking-related citations in 2015, according to crime statistics reported as part of the Jeanne Clery Act. The much larger Ohio State University was the only university in the state with more, reporting 1,746 total citations in 2015.
UD officials argue that the Clery data "doesn't provide an accurate comparison of the amount of drinking that occurs on different campuses" because a large number of UD students live in university-owned property, said Shawn Robinson, spokesman. Because of that, he said " campus crime numbers tend to be higher."
It's "totally apples and oranges" comparison, said UD spokeswoman Cilla Shindell.
About the Author
