Clubs offer alternatives to imbibing at Quadstock

Spring quarter relinquishes students from their winter hibernations by providing more hours of daylight, the potential for warmer weather and the chance to spend more time outside, which can give students a reason to celebrate.

The East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition is concerned spring means Seattle University students are more apt to cause trouble by partying. "…sometimes [spring] brings year-end celebrations and parties that can disrupt our neighborhoods," according to Stephanie Tschida, coalition chair, in a post on CapitolHillSeattle.com.

However, some members of the campus community disagree that spring is the prime time for partying. Alvin Mangosing, assistant director for residential programs in Housing and Residence Life, disagreed with the EPCPC.

"Fall brings out more on-campus drinking as a whole than spring does," said Mangosing.

Either way, spring does bring around one of the most anticipated days of the year for Seattle U students. Quadstock, SEAC's largest event, has been a significant contributor to partying in the past. "Passport parties" have traditionally drawn students off campus to drink during Quadstock.

"Quadstock has been seen as the one weekend where students feel more justified to not be responsible," said John Conway, co-chair and organizer of Quadstock XXII.

SEAC is trying change Quadstock's image by turning it into a new kind of campus event.

"I look forward to a time when Quadstock is an all-day arts festival, like Bumbershoot. I want students to come and wish they had more time to do everything the event offers," Conway said.

By focusing on providing alternatives for students to participate in at the event, instead of drinking, SEAC hopes less people will participate in drinking for Quadstock.

"Twelve campus clubs will be putting on activities in the booths they set up, bands will be playing at the stages all day, and sports like volleyball and frisbee will be being played in the green," Conway said.

Nevertheless, the party scene that surrounds Quadstock is another issue that Conway and SEAC have been making efforts to mitigate before the event happens on May 21.

"There has been a lot of positive advancement to cease the parties," Conway said. "This year, they will not be as much in the way of campus wide events."

Even without the parties, the prospect of students drinking elsewhere and coming intoxicated is possible.

"I want Quadstock to be a celebration and for students to have a good time, but we have a right to take anyone out of the event if they are intoxicated," Conway said.

The usual precautions will still be taken to make sure that those who are at the event are safe and sober.

Resident Assistants will still be patrolling the dorms throughout the day to ensure that no one is drinking in the dorms.

Jillian Jackson, a floor seven RA in Campion, commented on the rounds schedule for Quadstock saying, "Rounds on Quadstock are shorter. Everyone is on duty that day for set times but we only do a two hour shift each so that we can still enjoy the events and watch bands."

The Resident Assistants will also be holding a breakfast that will be served in each dorm before the festivities during Quadstock begin.

"No programs will be put on in building by housing after the breakfast," said Jackson. "We do not want to discourage students from going to the student green."

Ashley may be reached at roea@seattleu.edu