Thursday, May 06, 1999
Miami students try to avoid trouble
Party planned in uptown parks
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OXFORD — Student leaders want to make certain that end-of-school partying doesn't cause any damage as Miami University prepares to end its semester today.
So do police.
Miami's Associated Student Government (ASG) has received a city permit to sponsor a student party in the uptown parks from 11 p.m. today to 3 a.m. Friday, Police Chief Steve Schwein said.
Officials hope the presence of an orderly crowd will dampen anyone's thoughts of wilder times.
When school ended early on a Friday last year, about 20 young people were arrested after a disturbance began.
The shouting, unruly crowd, estimated at 500, began jumping off a 10-foot-high trailer and “crowd-surfing,” with bodies being lifted overhead. The crowd then tipped over the trailer and began throwing bottles and cans at police.
“Although a lot of people were there, not a lot of them participated,” Chief Schwein said Wednesday.
About 20 officers from nine area departments, some dressed in riot gear and others with canine patrols, stopped the disturbance.
“Just about every spring weekend, we have lots of people uptown. And that night, there were lots of people there. Some who were arrested were not students. We support and endorse the ASG's efforts for an evening of fellowship and peaceful entertainment and fun.”
Miami spokeswoman Holly Wissing said students are aware that last year's trouble didn't reflect well on them and the university.
This week, student leaders said they want to provide a place for students to gather and enjoy one another's company.
“This is an opportunity for us to do something positive,” said James Conroy, a student government officer. “People will still come uptown. But we will invite anyone in the community to the festivities.”
Ms. Wissing said the university is not sponsoring the event, but supports it.
“We're working with them (students), but it's their party,” she said. “No drinking, obviously. The event will provide students with a healthy opportunity to blow off steam.
“No one expects a repeat of last year's disturbance. It was an aberration. The university and the city are prepared.”
Miami students will graduate Sunday in spring commencement ceremonies in Millett Hall.
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