For students at Western University, Homecoming represents a much-anticipated weekend that they hope will offer fun and lasting memories. At the same time, police tend to see it as a cause for concern.
The yearly Homecoming weekend is a long tradition among students attending Western, one that the school appears to embrace. The site for the school has a page featuring a live countdown to the beginning of the event as well as links to events taking place across the campus and nearby areas, most notably the Western Mustangs football game.
XFM News asked Western students about Homecoming, and many of their stated plans line up with the events.
“I might check out Broughdale for like, the energy, the vibe on the street,” said Shano [no last name given], a medical science student going into her third year. “I think all the students go there [after the football game].”
The football game and the celebrations on Broughdale Avenue were the most recurring focal points for student Homecoming plans.
“I think that’s … the main event,” said Manya Mohan, a first-year bachelor of management and organizational studies (BMOS) student. “We’re doing that with my roommates and friends and stuff.”
For some students, the football game has more of an appeal than just watching the Mustangs play the McMaster Marauders on Saturday.
“I know they’re giving out free food just like last year,” said second-year health sciences student Noah Bennett, before adding that he intends to bring friends over.
London police on Broughdale Avenue during Homecoming 2015. Though students are eager to begin the celebration this year, police are voicing concerns about the responsibility and safety of partygoers.
Source: XFM News
Many students said they want to celebrate Homecoming with their friends and loved ones. First-year law student Alex Zarenda said he will head home to visit his girlfriend. Health sciences student Tea Mocnik said she and her friend, BMOS student Sierra Mackie, will be starting the festivities on Friday before roaming around on Saturday.
“Definitely we’ll be on Broughdale, mostly, probably,” said Mackie.
Even though students are eager to begin Homecoming, London police have begun to express their concerns about the event. In a statement provided to both the city of London and XFM News, London police superintendent Bill Berg said that the police service hopes attendees will celebrate responsibly.
“As we have in previous years, we will also be supported by additional policing partners to help ensure a safe and coordinated response throughout the weekend,” wrote Berg.
London police also sent out a list of fines they could hand out to partygoers for things such as hosting and attending “nuisance parties”, using closed roads, and excessive noise. As well, a release published on the city of London website said they will have zero tolerance for gender-based and sexual violence during the event, which speaks to recent concerns in London about intimate partner violence.
The publication also listed a hotline and other services for students in need to contact.
In the end, however, the hopes and experiences shared with XFM News by Western students were very positive, and they hoped other students would be able to have their own.
“I’ve done it the last four years and it was a blast,” said first-year law student Aidan Gertler. “I highly recommend anyone in undergrad to go out and have your fun.”
