Queen’s homecoming returns

This past weekend marked the first weekend in the return of Queen’s Homecoming. This year, Queen’s has spread Homecoming over two separate weekends, with the second weekend yet to come.

In the Kingston Whig Standard, Tom Harris,VP Advancement for Queen’s University acknowledged that

“...we will likely see activity on neighbourhood streets near campus during Homecoming, as we often do at this time of year. But we’ve been working hard to stress to students, alumni and community members that we cannot see the events that led to Homecoming’s cancellation repeated. Homecoming should and must be an event that is respectful of Queen’s, our alumni, our students, and the Kingston community.”

Queen’s, in partnership with emergency personnel (including Kingston Police, Kingston General Hospital, Frontenac Paramedic Services, and Kingston Fire and Rescue among others), continues to work towards ensuring all students, alumni and community members are kept safe during the weekend events.  In a personal plea to students, Principal Woolf went door to door on Aberdeen and neighbouring streets asking them to avoid large gatherings and street parties, and instead to embrace and participate in the many sanctioned events and activities planned for Homecoming 2013. 

globeandmail.com

Relative to previous years, things have improved.  But according to CKWS, close to 2500 people, including students and alumni, gathered to party on Aberdeen Street, while more than 100 police officers worked diligently to stay on top of the situation.  The Kingston Police reported that 2 impaired driving charges, 16 arrests and 133 tickets were handed out in the university area – mostly for public intoxication and breaching the peace. 

Homecoming weekend is a cause for celebration, and alcohol can be an enjoyable part of that celebration.  Unfortunately for some, excessive alcohol use continues to be the focus. We need to change the conversation and look at solutions that will reduce harm to students, decrease alcohol-related violence and property destruction, and reduce the costs associated with the necessary police presence, without diminishing the fun and importance of homecoming weekend.

A recently released resource can help inform this conversation. “Making the Case: Tools for Supporting Local Alcohol Policy in Ontario” provides municipalities with options for addressing community problems related to alcohol.