2008 Woodie Awards
AOD Explores Spring Weekend Origins
Christopher Duray
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
The Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AOD) has researched a comprehensive history of the origins of Spring Weekend to help the university better understand and prepare for the event this weekend, as well as inspire the student body to return to its roots.
The report was created by AOD's acting president Joseph Bores, an 8th-semester psychology major and business minor, who said that his goal in doing the research was to highlight the high level of student involvement in the early days of spring weekend, and encourage that sense of community he feels has been lost.
"I'm interested in getting this information out because nobody around really knows it," he said. "If people can learn some thing about where Spring Weekend came from, then maybe that can be part of solving the problem [of excess drinking and lack of community], just by looking at the bigger picture of things."
According to Bores' research, Spring Weekend originated as a fraternity-organized carnival in 1948 that used innocent events like parades and kissing booths to raise money for charities. The carnival ran through the 1970s, raising more than $169,000 over the years and becoming the third-largest charity fair in the U.S.
By 1979, enthusiasm for the carnival seemed to have run out, and it was officially ended. But a spring concert held during that festival continued, and it was around this event that the current traditions of drinking at Carriage House Apartments and X-Lot were created.
As the parties grew through the 90s, they attracted the attention of people from other cities and schools, who were often the primary instigators of violence and vandalism and have accounted for more than half of the arrests during Spring Weekends.
Bores said the USG's pep rally, which was started in 2005, has been integral in reducing rampant drinking and violence and fostering non-drinking events like Oozeball, residence hall programs and various speakers and comedians organized by the AOD.
The report was created by AOD's acting president Joseph Bores, an 8th-semester psychology major and business minor, who said that his goal in doing the research was to highlight the high level of student involvement in the early days of spring weekend, and encourage that sense of community he feels has been lost.
"I'm interested in getting this information out because nobody around really knows it," he said. "If people can learn some thing about where Spring Weekend came from, then maybe that can be part of solving the problem [of excess drinking and lack of community], just by looking at the bigger picture of things."
According to Bores' research, Spring Weekend originated as a fraternity-organized carnival in 1948 that used innocent events like parades and kissing booths to raise money for charities. The carnival ran through the 1970s, raising more than $169,000 over the years and becoming the third-largest charity fair in the U.S.
By 1979, enthusiasm for the carnival seemed to have run out, and it was officially ended. But a spring concert held during that festival continued, and it was around this event that the current traditions of drinking at Carriage House Apartments and X-Lot were created.
As the parties grew through the 90s, they attracted the attention of people from other cities and schools, who were often the primary instigators of violence and vandalism and have accounted for more than half of the arrests during Spring Weekends.
Bores said the USG's pep rally, which was started in 2005, has been integral in reducing rampant drinking and violence and fostering non-drinking events like Oozeball, residence hall programs and various speakers and comedians organized by the AOD.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
take back the night?
posted 4/23/08 @ 12:18 PM EST
take back the night was held last week to spread awareness about sexual assault and violence against women. the AOD campaign you mentioned is called remember last night. (Continued…)
Fred Jonespot
posted 4/23/08 @ 1:13 PM EST
I wouldnt be surprised if the reporter mistakenly put Take back the night. honest mistake. Since the person is the President of AOD, I would hope he/she knew. (Continued…)
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