On Monday, April 1, two days after the University of Connecticut Huskies men’s basketball team defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini to advance to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament, UConn facilities began to remove light posts on Hillside Road next to the School of Business. The university states this is a precaution following the actions of a few bad actors after last year’s championship, which saw nearly 40 arrested.
University Spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said that UConn officials have been discussing these precautions for weeks prior to the removal of the light posts.
“UConn officials have been discussing campus safety preparations for many weeks as the teams entered and have advanced through March Madness,” Reitz said. “It’s important to emphasize that the vast majority of our students celebrated last year’s championship in a responsible, appropriate manner. It’s unfortunate that a small fraction of people in the crowds chose to be disruptive, but their behavior should reflect only on them, not on our full student body or other Husky fans.”
Reitz explained that the possibility of destruction to campus property increases when holding large watch parties like UConn hosted last year and which it plans to host again for both the women’s and men’s games happening over the weekend on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, respectively.
“On-campus watch gatherings will be held for our students in coming days, with those details being announced soon. It has already been decided that alcohol will not be served in Gampel Pavilion, and events will be limited to UConn students,” Reitz said. “While not disclosing specific strategies that the university is undertaking or plans to implement, the public’s safety and well-being is the priority in each step being discussed.”
Reitz finally addressed why the university chose to remove the light posts on Hillside Road as opposed to other actions, citing damage to light posts along Fairfield Way last year. To replace these lights, wall lights will be installed along the School of Business and cones will demarcate where the lights used to be.
“Given the prevalence of damage to the aluminum campus light poles along Fairfield Way last year, the university is temporarily removing them and has installed wall lights in that area. They provide the same amount of illumination without being vulnerable to being removed and misused, as occurred last year,” Reitz said.
Reitz concluded by encouraging students to cheer for the Huskies in a manner that is respectful to the physical campus as UConn looks to avoid a repeat of last year which saw thousands of dollars in damage, six university expulsions and 16 injuries that were later deemed to be non-serious.
“The university is also working with our campus partners to share messages with their respective student groups, with the focus on highlighting the best when cheering on our Huskies and representing our university with pride,” Reitz said.
Maybe keep tabs on the beer flow in Gamble. Last year they drained all the kegs in the facility.