The Bucknellian

By Siobhan Murray

Writer

Recent reports from administrators indicate that while fewer fraternities hosted events during this year’s House Party Weekend, the number of individual citations increased. Only four or five fraternities were allowed to have parties at a give time in comparison to past years, when up to 10 or 12 fraternities could host House Party Weekend events. This year’s situation allowed the Department of Public Safety to focus its efforts more narrowly and for alternative, non-alcoholic events to have a greater presence on campus.

Most striking about this year’s House Party Weekend incidences was Public Safety’s report of 28 liquor law violation judicial referrals, six disorderly judicial referrals and nine total DUI citations. These numbers are a stark contrast from last year’s House Party, when there were only nine judicial referrals resultant from liquor law violations and three from disorderly conduct. 

“What’s really concerning is the number of DUIs, which has been steadily increasing in recent years. This has a lot to do with students going downtown parties and driving back and forth between uphill campus and downtown,” Chief of Public Safety Jason Friedberg said.

Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department reported 13 underage arrests, up from the eight last year.
As less official options were available to students because of multiple fraternities being on social probation, many events migrated downtown, and lines at official events grew longer.

“Students tend to find a balance between parties on different parts of campus. If fewer events are uphill, on Fraternity Road, more will appear downtown. That’s the reality, where venues change to being downtown,” Friedberg said.

Security presence on campus throughout the weekend was a key characteristic of the duration of House Party. Public Safety officers stayed on constant patrol throughout campus as they usually do, mainly focusing on Fraternity Road, as well as the Elaine Langone Center, Uptown and Seventh Street Cafe. Buffalo Valley Regional Police largely occupied downtown areas. Since there were less parties, Public Safety officials were able to oversee parties more efficiently.

“The big focus was keeping lines outside parties at least in check,” Friedberg said. “Academic buildings are always a priority as well, to guard against any theft or vandalism that may occur.”

Students definitely noticed increased levels of security around campus.

“I would say that we experienced a heightened amount of security inhibited students’ freedoms relative to last year and their choices about where they wanted to spend time. You do need the security, but it was way too out of hand. There were so many hired security personnel that they didn’t even know what to do,” Josh Leighton ’14 said.

Students also noted that the interactions they had with Public Safety on House Party Weekend were generally positive.

“I thought things were handled really well, and that security was really polite to me,” Anna MacAlister ’12 said.

Public Safety appreciated the alternative student programming offered during this year’s House Party Weekend, including Bison Fest, a collaborative effort by the Deans of Students, Campus Activities and Programs (CAP) Center, Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, Office of Residential Education, CHOICE and Bucknell Student Government (BSG). Bison Fest, along with events hosted at the Campus Theatre that Friday night, were meant to provide students with alternative, non-alcoholic options for the weekend.

“First and foremost, we wanted to provide students with fun, exciting options for those who were not interested in House Party activities. All students were welcome and encouraged to come, and given the high attendance everyone seemed to enjoy the food, friends and amazing atmosphere.  In addition, we wanted to help students who were participating in House Party to be safe and smart,” said Laura Yeckley, assistant director of campus activities and programs.

“Alternative student programming made our job a lot easier,” Friedberg said. “I haven’t heard any anecdotal stories of students calling their parents to be picked up for the weekend, to escape the events of House Party.”

By Lauren Buckley
Contributing Writer

Bucknell Student Government (BSG) 2015 is raising money for their class through “President’s Press,” an event in which BSG representatives are ironing clothing on campus.

The fundraiser occurred on April 12, April 13 and yesterday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The final session of “President’s Press” is today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Any student can drop off shirts, pants, dresses or any wrinkled item with first-year BSG members, and they will have them ironed and ready for formals, Chrysalis or any other formal event. BSG 2015 will charge $3 for a single item and $5 for two. 

BSG 2015 representatives are working hard with these creative events to promote unity among their class and fundraise for future class events, including their senior gift and Senior Nights. First-year BSG members also hosted a free root beer float event on April 17 outside of the uphill entrance of the Elaine Langone Center.

“Our short term goals include unity and bonding events, such as the root beer floats event and the s’mores event which we hosted earlier in the year. Our longer term goals include purchasing a class gift, as well as hosting a variety of Senior Nights to celebrate our time at Bucknell,” Colin Hassell ’15, BSG 2015 president said. 

“Our job as members of BSG is to bring our class together, so naturally we try to raise money in any way that we can so that we can then give it back to the class of 2015 in the form of entertainment and events,” Chris Jarvis ’15, a BSG 2015 representative, said.

These events have also been fantastic opportunities to advertise BSG elections for the 2012-2013 academic year which took place yesterday.

By Christina Oddo

Writer

IFC and Panhellenic hosted Wingfest as part of “Go Greek Week”
 on Wednesday evening in Larison Dining Hall. This event supported the Million Penny Project, benefiting the 2012-recipient, The Hand-UP Foundation of Milton. Students ate wings donated by Bucknell’s fraternities, as well as wings donated by local eateries. Participants also voted for their favorite wing.

The Million Penny Project (MPP) is an initiative of the Panhellenic Council and IFC that has the goal of raising $10,000 (a million pennies) to benefit one particular nonprofit service organization in the community each year. Stephanie Thomas ‘13 of Panhellenic and Nick Pistone ’14 of IFC selected Hand-UP from a group of six nonprofits that were considered to be MPP recipients.

“We visited all six of them to learn about who they are and what they stand for and get a sense of their vision.  They were all great organizations and it was a difficult decision, but we chose Hand-UP. We really wanted to promote their philosophy of a hand up rather than a handout,” Pistone said.

With the money raised from MPP, Hand-UP intends to build a Crisis Shelter.

“MPP is important to us and this year we really want it to be more than just a $10,000 check.  We want to partner with Hand-UP and spread the word about what they do and the people they help in Milton,” Pistone said.

The Hand-UP Foundation is a faith-based, non-profit organization based in Milton, Pennsylvania. This foundation has helped families and individuals in the community overcome crisis situations since 2003. Hope, encouragement and support are offered through Hand-UP. Those helped are expected to volunteer to give back to the community and to the organization. Hand-UP provides clothing, food, vehicles, counseling, homes, and financial assistance to those in need.

“Their goal is to empower the poor to live better lives for themselves,” Pistone said. “Our goal is to spread that message, as well as highlight Hand-UP for all the good they do in the community.”

Students can further help this initiatve by donating directly to MPP through Penhellenic or IFC at events like Wing Fest, Greek Iron Chef, or the Zombie Walk. Also, students may want to consider volunteering with Hand-Up. Those who want to volunteer can visit handupfoundation.org or call Hand-Up at (570) 742-3000.