Being the 11th-ranked party school in the nation can have a negative effect on the community, according to the Princeton Review.
University of Colorado Student Government Neighborhood and City Relations Director Ashley Michelson says she is looking to reestablish a more positive atmosphere between CU and the Boulder community. Inspired by a similar program at James Madison University and student interest, CUSG and Off-Campus Student Services partnered together to run the CU Party Registration Program pilot, according to the news release.
“I think it creates a positive relationship between the community and the students,” Michelson said. “It’s trying to promote safe, responsible partying.”
In this program, Michelson said, students can register their party and contact information at Off-Campus Student Services. The organization will then give the registered party list to Boulder dispatch, so that if a noise complaint is made dispatch will call the party host and allow them 20 minutes to break up the party, Michelson said. A second complaint will result in an officer visit and citation after confirming the violation, Michelson said.
“I’m hoping students will want to take advantage of it,” Michelson said. “That’s why we are doing it. A nuisance party fine is $1,000.”
When registering, students will also receive a Smart Party Bag, which contains information on how to throw a safe party as well as party snacks like pretzels and soda, Michelson said.
The pilot program will run Friday and Saturday nights from April 16 to May 8, according to the release. The program will be judged upon student surveys, Michelson said, and if successful, the program will continue in the fall.
The Finance Board funded the pilot program and services are free to the registered students, Michelson said.
Faith Batrack, a 19-year-old sophomore mechanical engineering major, said she thought the program would be helpful.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Batrack said. “It’s good you don’t get a noise violation right off the bat. Sometimes you don’t know how loud you’re being.”
The CU Party Registration Program could also help student groups that hold large parties, said A.J. Carrillo, a 22-year-old senior humanities major.
“Organized student groups like fraternities and sororities and other organizations that throw a lot of parties would probably take advantage of it,” Carrillo said.
Sarah Huntley, Boulder Police public information officer, said the police department, which took part in the program’s planning, is optimistic.
“We are a supporter of giving this approach a try,” Huntley said. “Our hope is to be able to strike a balance between holding students accountable and giving residents a different way of responding or dealing with noise complaints.”
Even though only a Buff OneCard is needed to register, some students on campus feel wary of registering a party in advance, according to the release.
“The only problem is that they already know you are having a party,” Carrillo said. “It’s basically giving them the heads up that they may have to keep a closer watch on you.”
Mike Nicastle, a 21-year-old junior biochemistry major, shared similar feelings.
“Anything dealing with the cops, people get pretty wary,” Nicastle said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Rose Heaphy at Josephine.heaphy@colorado.edu.
