As word of weekend parties on Norwich Avenue and 13th Avenue circulated yesterday, Ohio State administrators, law enforcement officials and student leaders met to prepare a response to possible off-campus problems.
Meanwhile, the Office of Student Affairs is continuing to gather information about last Saturday’s riot on Chittenden.
“It is our obligation to prevent this from happening again,” said Bill Hall, interim vice president of Student Affairs.
Hall said the university will have volunteers pass out fliers advising students about how to keep parties under control. The focus of these preventive measures will be on 13th Avenue, where numerous residents are planning a day-long barbecue and have ordered about 30 kegs of beer.
Volunteers with cameras will circulate neighborhoods during the weekend to take pictures of students who are starting violence at parties. Pictures showing disruptive activities will be put on the Internet after the weekend to identify the people in the pictures, said Hall. The pictures will be used to prosecute students who are in violation of the Code of Student Conduct.
Hall said the university would also go ahead with its plans Saturday to have a late-night barbecue at the University Lutheran Chapel on 13th Avenue. The barbecue is scheduled as part of the university’s late-night activity program.
The university will redirect funds to pay for extra food at the barbecue and for the fliers, Hall said, but he did not estimate the cost.
Vernon Baisden, assistant vice president for public safety, could not be reached for comment about costs or plans for his department, which includes University Police.
The Columbus Division of Police was vague about its plans for the weekend, despite a promise made Monday by Mayor Michael Coleman to increase police presence in off-campus neighborhoods.
“If there’s a problem, we’ll respond,” said Sgt. Earl Smith, spokesman for the Columbus Police. “The parties are not the issue; the behavior is the issue.”
Any increased costs coming from police presence in the campus area is covered by tax dollars.
“Students have to realize that the police are not there to start violence,” said Kevin Cope, a graduate student, who was present at the university’s meetings. “This weekend on 13th, there will be police present throughout the night, not intimidating, but to make sure things are under control.”
Ron Meyers, president for the Council of Graduate Students, said the city of Columbus wants to have the liquor control officers in the area to curb underage drinking.
- OSU to pay for riot tapes – 4/24/01
- Riots break out off campus again – 4/23/01 (with pics)
