DAYTON — UPDATE @ 3:30 p.m.
The University of Dayton wants students’ cooperation to balance student celebrations with the risks that come from mixing large-scale gatherings and alcohol, according to a statement from the school’s director of public safety.
The statement comes a day after hundreds of students gathered in the front lawns and porches along Lowes Street and other areas of student housing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a week after the holiday when students were away for spring break.
“While relatively little direct police action was necessary, the university is concerned that students do not appreciate the potential risks to health and safety that are associated with large crowds and high-risk drinking,” Rodney Chatman, UD’s executive director of public safety and police chief, said in a prepared statement.
One arrest was reported Saturday. Crowds of students - many wearing green - flanked streets on the off-campus student neighborhood. The crowds drew response from campus police, Dayton officers and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Chatman said “managing such events requires a significant commitment of police and other resources.”
“As warm weather approaches, the university will continue to seek cooperation from students in avoiding large-scale gatherings and keeping the community safe,” Chatman said.
Next year’s St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday, March 17; the university’s spring break is scheduled from March 13-23.
EARLIER
Police swarmed a sea of green Saturday night as hundreds of University of Dayton students took to the streets to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little late this year.
RELATED: UD spring break, housing rules aim to prevent St. Patrick’s Day trouble
The scene was more subdued, but the students’ message to school administrators was clear.
“Our president is trying to eliminate our school history. He cannot do that. In order to obtain funding in the future ... he needs to be able to rely on the alumni who are throwing down today,” said student Chris Couture Del Valle.
A rowdy celebration with out-of-control parties last year included students jumping on cars and throwing glass beer bottles, some at police, and yelling at the officers. Police from 10 jurisdictions responded, many in riot gear, to disperse the crowds. This year, UD President Eric Spina changed spring break to include St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Students were not permitted to return to campus until 3 p.m. Sunday.
>> WATCH: Police body camera footage hose chaos at UD on St. Patrick’s Day 2018
Students on Saturday said the changes weren’t going to stop them from celebrating, even if it had to be a week later.
“President Spina locked us out until 3 p.m. because he didn’t want this happening on Sunday. So, in response, we did this,” student Aidan Gleason said.
Students and officers agreed this year’s party has a much more positive vibe.
“There were a lot of things learned from last year. Probably on both sides,” one student said.
» PHOTOS: UD students on St. Patrick’s Day
UD police said they would not comment on Saturday’s events.
Dayton police, state troopers and UD police were just some of the agencies on campus to keep the peace. As of late Saturday, no arrests were made in connection to the belated St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
