The Review

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News

Media Credit: File Photo A new city bill may put an end to the student-run block parties that have become traditions in Newark.

Daytime partying, crowds of students piled into backyards and springtime "fests" have been a part of the university experience for generations. During the early Fall and Spring Semesters, students flock to events such as Chapelfest, Wilburfest and Skidfest, among others. However, a bill in discussion by the Newark City Council is threatening these traditional events in what some describe as a battle to deter "student rights."

Primarily, the bill aims to alter the current definition of the code involving social gatherings which defines them as "any event which is exclusively contained on private property and makes no use of city streets, other than for lawful parking." Events would no longer be considered private when fees or donations are charged or when attendance surpasses 250 people.

The new bill decreases this number to 150 guests and includes a minimum fine of $200 for first offenses and $400 for additional offenses. If the property is rented, the owner of the home is within his or her rights to evict the current tenants.

Dan Greenland, city relations chairman for the Student Government Association, said he accidentally discovered the bill while attending a City Council meeting last month.

"They are obviously attacking students when they make bills like this," Greenland said. "If a party has 100-plus people, then I can understand. But adding an eviction notice is a bit harsh."

The city has proposed the bill in an effort to curb underage drinking and drunken activity which disturbs the community, he said.

Greenland said he sees similarities between the bill and the zero-tolerance policy, which stirred campus-wide controversy in 2006.

"It is obviously not as big as zero tolerance," he said. "But the implications of the bill will not simply affect large block parties. I think this bill is just another chip at degrading civil rights for students."

Mayor Vance A. Funk III said such block-party events would have a hard time gaining a permit for this coming spring even if a bill such as this was voted out.

"There were a number of intoxicated students at last year's Chapelfest," Funk said. "A major highway was blocked and there were a few incidents that would make having that event again rather embarrassing."

Continued...

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