University students may raise a glass to the absence of the infamous Party Patrol this fall, but Eugene police would tell those students to continue to raise their glasses quietly.
Pete Aguilar, one of five officers that will be assigned to the campus area this fall, said the party patrol was eliminated because of a relatively quiet party season last year.
“Budgetary wise, I think it was not effective at that time,” he said.
But he said if infractions increase in the campus area this fall, the party patrol could show up again.
“If the parties increase, we could have problems,” he said. “We won’t if they don’t spark up again.”
Aguilar mentioned the Halloween riots of years past, and out-of-control parties after football games, all of which led to the creation of the Party Patrol. He said that if those events occur again, police could consider starting up the patrol once more, or at least assigning extra, overtime officers to the campus area.
He said officers assigned to the campus area will once again patrol heavily on Friday and Saturday nights to break up parties that violate noise ordinances and enforce underage drinking laws. Although there will be no designated patrol, Aguilar said he and the other officers will still be on the prowl for parties.
On campus, student groups are working to combat what they say is a prevalent perception of underage drinking as normal and healthy.
The Greek Life Office, in conjunction with the Student Orientation Program and several other campus organizations, will present PartyHouse 2001, a dance and mock-party, during Week of Welcome.
Jackie Reed, the event’s coordinator, said the aim of the first annual PartyHouse is to give new students a brief look into the world of partying on campus and its consequences.
“The idea is to introduce students to the party culture,” Reed said. “We want to give them a heads-up, and give them the resources they need to know. It’s about getting them to think about their actions.”
Reed said during the event, students will walk through a “house” where volunteers will present various situations centered around drinking such as alcohol poisoning, 21st birthday parties and date rape. After the walk-through, students will attend a dance with a live disc jockey and refreshments. The event will take place Sept. 20 at the Student Recreation Center, which is also sponsoring the PartyHouse.
Reed said the PartyHouse idea was actually started by other universities, but planners at the University of Oregon decided to add an actual, but sober, party afterwards.
“We want it to be educational as well as fun,” she said.
Ashley Bunnard, another coordinator for the event, said all students can benefit from the PartyHouse.
“It is expected that the program will be a fun and worthwhile experience for both students and volunteers,” Bunnard said. “It will provide our incoming freshmen with healthier options for their years to come at the University of Oregon.”
Eugene police also have a hand in the PartyHouse. Reed said officers are set to bring a vehicle involved in a drunk-driving accident, and they will present a skit on DUI infractions.
While the PartyHouse is mainly aimed at freshmen, Reed said that all University students are welcome at the event, although she said upperclassmen should consider volunteering. Reed said any sophomore, junior or senior students interested in volunteering for the PartyHouse should attend a meeting Sept. 19 in Esslinger Hall, Gym 5.
PartyHouse 2001
When: Thursday, Sept. 20, 8:30 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Where: Student Recreation Center
What: A series of skits showing various situations related to partying, followed by a dance with a live DJ and food.
Who: Presented by Greek Life, Student Orientation, the Alumni Association, Student Life, University Housing, the University Health Center and the Student Recreation Center.