STAFF REPORT
Fredonia students enjoyed the first warm weather days of the spring season on the weekend of May 1 through May 3. As temperatures rose and the library lost its busy bustle, students took advantage of the first fruits of springtime and spent time enjoying the outdoors.
In the past, Fredonia used to dedicate the first weekend in May to FRED Fest. The headliners have ranged from Lupe Fiasco and Jack’s Mannequin, to local area bands. On-campus activities, such as carnivals and the famous Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, were offered and heavily advertised as alternatives for students who didn’t want to go downtown.
But due to safety and reputation concerns, FRED Fest was canceled for the Spring 2015 semester. Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. David Herman and Spectrum Entertainment Board came to this conclusion after a year-long heated debate, and it left the campus in a tug-of-war. With the weekend formerly known as FRED Fest now behind them, campus and village officials reflected and commented on how the weekend really panned out.
“Our campus-related arrests dropped considerably,” said Mike Barone, director of marketing and communication for Fredonia, “we had only two. The decision to keep visitors out of the residence halls this weekend appears to have been very influential in that change.”
Despite this, Chief of Fredonia Police Bradley Meyer said that there were between 50 and 55 individuals that were arrested for between 90 and 95 offensives off-campus.Meyers estimates that, of the 50-55 people arrested, less than 10 were Fredonia students.
“I think it was pretty much in line with what we experienced in the past for several years in regards to FRED Fest,” said Meyers.
“It was business as usual, nothing crazy. I can’t tell you details, but we did have more people patrolling the building as usual,” said Andrew Gilbert, a sophomore engineering major and Grissom Hall resident assistant.
Numerous alcohol related incidents and arrests marked past FRED Fests as a disgrace to the community and campus, but not all students saw it in that light.
Several students reflected on the weend’s activities as well.
“My freshman year, I had such a fun FRED Fest — when it was pretty much still what it traditionally was. In 2012 I had a blast, as well; it was a really fun, celebratory weekend,” said Faith Leone, a senior music education major and a University Commons resident assistant.
Much of the concern about FRED Fest stemmed from the off-campus partying and excessive drinking culture that occurred during the weekend. But what really baffled students was the fact that the on-campus activities weren’t as heavily advertised.
“I actually thought that canceling FRED Fest was a really bad idea because it gave people a reason to party even harder than before. In canceling the on-campus event, that took away the outlet for people to do other things besides party,” said Andrea LoPiccolo, a senior video production major.
The on-campus events that were offered this past weekend, ranging in entertainment preferences, were Much More Chill’s 15th Year Anniversary show and an FSA Cookout on the Williams Center Patio, among others. An email was sent out on May 1 congratulating the senior class on a fine job planning senior activities week and warning students to be safe and to represent the Fredonia campus and community well.
Many students did not find the on-campus changes to be effective.
“I heard about alternate activities, but they weren’t really publicized. I didn’t find out about anything until after it happened. I think that more on campus activities is what they need, that shouldn’t have been taken away,” said LoPiccolo.
“I think it will get better as time goes on, but it is understandable for students to rebel when such extreme measures are taken, and Dr. Herman’s view of students and alcohol consumption can be unrealistic,” said Leone.