A heads up for students and guests: Western Weekend Protocol
Western Weekend will bring several temporary changes to Central Michigan University's Office of Residence Life as resident assistants and the CMU Police Department take steps to maintain order on campus.
“First and foremost, we want people to be safe,” Michelle Veith said.
Depending on the weather Friday and Saturday, upwards of 4,000 guests are expected to stay in CMU residence halls. Many will come from Western Michigan University and beyond to enjoy the highly anticipated CMU vs. WMU football game 1 p.m. Saturday.
With high traffic comes high security. From 8 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Sunday, the only way to enter any residence hall will be via the main entrance. All side doors will be locked to control foot traffic, each of which is manned by an residence assistant or multicultural adviser or student volunteer. Should students attempt to enter through a side door, they will be redirected to the main entrance.
All guests during Western Weekend will be required to wear wristbands, which will be given out when the guest first arrives. Photo ID must be presented to the desk attendant in order to receive a wristband.
Students must keep Student IDs and keys on their persons as they enter or exit residence halls, and all guests should be escorted by their host for convenience.
With the exception of Barnes and Robinson, every room will be limited to six guests. Robinson and Barnes, due to spacial constraints, will be limited to three. Guests can arrive and depart at any point during the weekend, but check-ins will begin 8 p.m. on Friday .
Thorpe Hall in south campus received 348 guests during the most recent Western game in 2012, the most of any residence hall.
Amy DiNovo, the resident assistant on the third floor of Thorpe, will be on duty during Western Weekend.
“That’s why I took the job, to make sure that everyone stays safe,” DiNovo said.
She doesn’t want any residents feeling pressured to go out just because of the reputation of the weekend, other safety officials agreed.
“Our primary concern is always the safety of students, staff, and faculty,” said Cpt. Fred Harris of the Central Michigan University Police Department.
On Friday and Saturday, the police presence will increase to maintain order before, during and after the football game. Mount Pleasant Police, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, and State troopers will be present during the football game and tailgate.
The number of MIP and other related charges issued that day will be determined by the size and energy of the tailgate crowd, Harris said. Good weather will bring more students, and guests and possibly more incidents.
During the last game against WMU in 2012, nasty weather kept students indoors and mostly out of harms way. Only 16 MIPs and six disorderly citations were handed out by CMU Police throughout the weekend.
Harris and CMUPD advise students to have fun and be safe, and to report any suspicious activity.
