Student Center Riot Under Investigation
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FREE COPYRIGHThT 1997 VOL. 62 NO. 1e1 Beaconoutside of Passaic County Student center riot Students "Adopt" under investigation spots on campus to By Sherri Sage Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson help beautify WPU News Contributor and the Passaic County Sheriff's Department responded. The cause of the riot "which "As a police officer you do not occurred outside of the Student want to be involved in something Center on October 24 is still being such as occurred Friday morning. investigated, according to the We had two police officers in the William Paterson University middle of a crowd with anywhere Campus Police. between 100 to 200 people with "We talked to a number of peo- fights going on and bottles being ple taken to the hospital or arrest- thrown. Nobody likes to call for ed. They really don't know how it mutual aid "because that means started," said Sergeant Russ things have gotten out of control. Stengel. "We hear rumors but But when things do, we have to nothing we can substantiate yet. call them," said Stengel. (Above): Students help clean up their spot on campus for the "Adopt-A-Spot Clean -Up No one's breaking down our door Together the police were able to Program" held on Friday, October 31. coming forward to give us infor- take control of the crowd. (Left): These students took a break from their mation about how it started. According to Michael Wnoroski, hard work to smile. All students involved were Alcohol is obviously a part of this student director on duty that morn- offered a free continental breakfast before reg- thing. We came in contact with ing, "The officers initially reacted istering for their spots. people who were under the influ- quickly. When the crowd rushed Photos by Michelle Climent / Special to The Beacon ence or could detect it on their outside they were right on top of breath," added Stengel. it. As to exactly what occurred The incident involved about 200 outside, I am not sure. However, Alcohol related incidents increase from 1996 people. Several people were the area was cleared within 45 By Danielle Gabriel Government Association President Signs that a person may have involved in numerous fights while minutes." Staff Writer Bobi Lee Messer, is that lives are alcohol poisoning include: the some were also injured. Officers Ana Rosado, a freshman at .at risk when drinking is done inability to stand or wake up, lack reported that while they were WPU, was there when things start- Construction trucks and orange excessively. of response when being talked to, breaking up a fight and trying to ed to get out of hand. "All of a cones weren't the only objects stu- "The idea for putting the car on shouted at or poked, slow or give first aid to injured people, sudden people started running out- dents noticed on the Student the lawn evolved to allow students abnormal breathing, a rapid pulse rocks, pipes and beer bottles were side screaming 'fight, fight!'," Center lawn last week. They also to see the aftermath of what can rate and an irregular heart rhythm. thrown at them and those involved said Rosado. She stated that when saw a white, four-door car that had happen when drinking and driving Immediate medical attention is in the fighting. In an attempt to she ran outside, she noticed one been crashed so badly it no longer are combined," said Messer. .necessary if a person displays regain control of the crowd, police man being held back by his had a roof or windshield. "Just by looking at that car, it's these signs. were forced to resort to the use of friends, shouting and removing his "When I saw the car, I thought it obvious that someone was killed. Messer said the notion of show- pepper mace. Police requested an coat. "Suddenly he. let loose," said belonged to one of the construc- It [the car] lets students absorb the ing the damaging effects of exces- ambulance arid paramedics along Rosado, "and the next moment I tion workers," said one student. reality of drinking." sive alcohol use originated when with mutual aid from surrounding "Then the bigger picture came into Sergeant Russ Stengel of the the Alcohol Awareness Committee towns. Officers from Wayne, focus." William Paterson University was established in 1995. see STUDENT CENTER page 3 The bigger picture, said Student Campus Police said the car is a The goal of the committee is to reminder of the "stupid" things take a pro-active stance by show- that occur when drinking is inte- ing, rather than telling, students WPU students hit with 12% tuition hike grated into everyday actions. the dangers of drinking. "The car on the lawn is there for "College students will feel more By Michael S. Laclair and have been "historically underfund- for the increase in tuition. The a reason," Stengel said. impact and benefit more from see- Kerry Ridings ed" by the state. This is confirmed major reason for the increase is the "If fatal accidents aren't due to ing rather than from hearing a mil- News Contributors in an article printed in the Courier- rise in faculty and staff pay raises. poor weather conditions or acts of lion and one reasons why they News by Steve Adubato, assistant According to Jean Oswald, fate, drinking is usually involved. shouldn't drink," she said. "The committee felt that a more pro- The Spring 1997 semester for Deputy executive director of the The bottom line is that stupid "The increase has also active stance was necessary." students attending colleges in New New Jersey Higher Education things don't happen when people Although Stengel concedes he Jersey will see an increase in been used to enhance Commission, state schools did not are sober." doesn't know what would effec- tuition. The college report for New receive less funding from last year. Incidents of alcohol use on cam- incentive programs and to tively stop the use of alcohol on Jersey Colleges released their She said the colleges got short pus have increased since 1996 campus, he said education is a annual report September 24th.1 In the general improvement changed because "they did not get when six people were transported to Wayne General Hospital for start. its findings they said the average full funding for the salary of the academic environ- intoxication.- Seven people have "Alcohol is a drug and educa- itudent in New Jersey will pay 8 increase." been transported this year to date. tion has to begin early, starting in percent more to attend the New ment at William Paterson Oswald added that the state of "In most cases [our] police offi- grammar and high schools within Jersey state colleges. New Jersey does the negotiations University" - Interim VP cers were involved in, either the the curriculum," he said. "It's dif- This statistic goes against the for salary increases. odor of alcohol was noticed on the ficult to put limitations or restric- Administration and Though much of the increased national average which only saw person or the person was clearly tions on students, but that doesn't tuition does go to faculty and staff an increase of 5 percent. William Finance Steve Bolyai intoxicated," he said. mean that education has to stop." salaries, Bolyia said, "The Paterson University will see a 12 "We [Campus Police] call it Stengel said campus police is percent increase which ranks near professor of political science at increase has also been used to 'intoxication,' but if someone is so involved in the education process the highest in the state Rutgers University. He stated that enhance incentive programs and to drunk that they have to be taken to at WPU every year, participating According to Steve Bolyai, "New Jersey ranks 42 in per capi- the general improvement of the the hospital, it's probably due to in Alcohol Awareness Day and Interim Vice President of ta spending in higher education" academic environment at William alcohol poisoning." periodically conducting breathal- Administration and Finance at throughout the United States. Paterson University." Alcohol poisoning is another see ALCOHOL page 10 WPU, New Jersey state colleges Bolyia said their are two reasons see TUITION page 10 name for an overdose of alcohol. PAGE 2 I I THE BEACON MONDAY, NdVEMBER 3, 1Q£)? MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1997 CftMPUS CALENDAR THE BEACON PAGE 3 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.- AKATea Informational Session. 7:00-9-00 p m THE HEAT ZONE Student Center Room 213. For information CPntoct Rcnee 720-4435 or Janice 720-4333 WPU art exhibit Black Students Association - General Meetings 8;00 p.m. in the Towers Pavilion Lou™, For information contact Nicole at x4S43. ^"ngc. Music professor in NYC opera Catholic Campus Ministry Club - Join, us for weekly visits to North Jersey Development,,! Center and discover the joy of helping others, Meet at CCM Center at 6:30 p.m For info™, TANNING SALON mtQ m tion contact Joanne at 595-6184. ' ' - travels to China well worth it." Tuesday, November 4,1997 "Marco Poio" is sung in English, Italian and "20 Minufe Vacations Available Dailu" Alphai Kappa Alpha Sorority, lac- AKA Luncheon. By Sophia A. Brooks but were excited just the same. "I rv p. f"\ • *» News Contributor feel good about it," said Scott Chinese. The production premiered in May 1996 at Beattie, an alumnus whose exhibi- the Beinnale Festival in Munich, Germany with Counseling Center- Would you like to be a "Peer Counselor?" Organizational Meeting Now that "The New U" has tion is among others in China. He Bryant performing the lead role of Dante.