DANCE: CPB relieved by outcome
(The Beacon)
By Sarah Hansell, Staff Writer -- hansell14@up.edu
This year's Dance of the Decades was more tame than last year's.
Public Safety issued five minor in possession citations, one of which was revoked, according to the Public Safety Daily Crime and Fire Log.
Also, there were no hospitalizations in connection with the dance at the Crystal Ballroom Saturday night.
This is an improvement from last year's dance, when five minor in possession citations were issued, three students were hospitalized, one was sent to detoxification facilities and the bar at the Crystal Ballroom was shut down after a student stole wristbands intended for students 21 and over.
Organizers were pleased at the lack of drama this year.
"There were a couple of minor issues here and there, which is to be expected of a college event, but overall it was a great event," CPB director and junior Sean Ducey said.
The drinking-related issues during Dance of the Decades included a student having a flask disguised as a camera, one student vomiting on the bus, one student urinating on the bus and four drunk students over 21 with a blood alcohol level between .18 and .27 being breathalyzed and sent away.
"In some cases, they were actually surprised at how much they had in their system," Student Activities Director Jeromy Koffler said.
However, students who were sent away or were refused entry into the dance did not become belligerent, according to Koffler.
"All in all, students were very respectful and very compliant, and were there to enjoy themselves, and they did," Koffler said.
Student Activities and CPB hope the educational approach they took to preventing binge drinking helped students to be more responsible about drinking, but realize that it comes down to students' individual choices.
"I think the message got out there, hopefully with the alcohol education event," Assistant Director of Student Activities Jillian Smith said.
Cancelling the fall homecoming dance and showing students that breathalyzing everyone is an option could have also had an impact on students' drinking choices.
"I know a lot of people were bummed about homecoming, so I think that motivated them to not mess up Dance of the Decades too," sophomore Nico Marquez said.
CPB is satisfied with the outcome of the event, according to Ducey.
"I'm glad they didn't punish the entire school just because of the incidents that happened last year, because I think they made it really fun and people were able to enjoy themselves," sophomore Rachel Reddick said.
Overall, Student Activities is pleased with how the event went.
"I don't think people were as intoxicated as they were last year, so I think it created a more positive vibe," Smith said.
Many students agree that the energy of the event was better than last year.
"It was more enjoyable because people understood their limits or they didn't drink as much," Marquez said. "You could actually dance with people, not dance away from them."
