Student groups prepare for time change

by Erica Ryan
Staff Writer

Ohio University officials and student senators are working to discourage student involvement in possible Uptown disturbances during the spring time change early Sunday morning.

In 1997, some students forced out of bars gathered on Court Street, yelling and jeering at police officers. They also threw liquor bottles and toilet paper from windows. The disturbance resulted in 47 arrests, according to an April 7, 1997 Post article. 34 of those arrested were OU students.

On April 2 last year, police arrested 19 people, including 18 OU students, during the disturbance, according to an April 3, 2000 Post article.

When clocks strike 2 a.m. Sunday, the time will go forward one hour. Bars must stop serving alcohol before clocks move forward, according to a Ohio Department of Commerce news release.

John Kraus, manager of The Pub, 39 N. Court St., said the bar will stop serving alcohol at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Local police plan to handle any disturbances differently this year.

This weekend will not be treated differently than any other, Athens Police Chief Richard Mayer said.

Stephen Ramirez, OU Police Department chief, said the OUPD will have additional officers on patrol on each green and that a few officers will be Uptown until 11:30 p.m. But if a disturbance occurs, APD will handle it.

OU graduate student Ben Shoemaker was arrested during the disturbance three years ago. This year he worked with OU's Division of Student Affairs to inform students about the time change by circulating fliers and posters about the disturbance's history and the possible consequences of participating in it.

"As long as they know what is going on, they can make the decision to go Uptown or not," Shoemaker said.

Michael Sostarich, vice president of student affairs, said OU officials and student groups have done a better job this year of informing students of their choices and responsibilities.

"I think last year not much was said until the Friday before the event, and some people criticized that," he said.

OU student senators also have spread the word about the consequences of a possible disturbance. Senators put together informational packets for students and helped design posters and fliers.

"We wanted to take a proactive stand because nothing was done last year and things got out of hand," said Christy Frank, the senate's residence life commissioner.

Senator at large Mike Waterhouse said that while it is possible publicity about the disturbances might draw more students Uptown, informing students will be worth it.

"Senate tried (not publicizing the disturbances) last year, and there was still a situation," he said. "We're trying to prevent a disturbance."