Homecoming weekend is one of the most festive occasions at the University. It is a time when alumni, students and friends gather to celebrate, rekindle friendships and have fun.
Regrettably, last night, the University, in conjunction with law enforcement, made the decision to cancel the Homecoming concert, after the event was forcefully compromised by those seeking to enter William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
The doors for the concert opened at 7:30 p.m., and attendees filled the concert venue in an orderly manner. However, at approximately 10:00 p.m., a technology glitch slowed down entry to the venue, which resulted in patrons having to wait in longer lines to enter the arena.
Unbeknownst to the 1,300 – 1,500 students and patrons already inside the arena, the outside crowd breached with the doorway, pushing past security and ticket takers, and knocking over metal detectors, creating an unsafe and hazardous environment.
In an effort to gain control of the crowd, and to minimize further disruption, law enforcement deployed pepper spray, which caused the crowd to exit the building. It was then determined that the concert should be cancelled in order to maintain safety for all guests.
Cancelling a student event is not something that the University take lightly, especially ones that are long-anticipated. However, the safety of our students, and the campus environment are of paramount concern to us.
This morning we have taken steps to issue refunds to reimburse concert goers.
In addition, we have reevaluated the remaining Homecoming schedule to implement greater measures to ensure sufficient crowd control so that the rest of the Homecoming schedule can continue uninterrupted.
In our effort to strive for continuous improvement, we will be conducting a thorough review of this incident and our practices.
We are working with student representatives to identify a date and time to host another concert as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Juliette B. Bell, Ph.D.
President
19 comments:
Question remains, how many UMES students will be able to read AND comprehend what the President's staff writer wrote here? **Remember, less than 40 percent graduate from UMES.**
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM - but its SOOOOOOOOOOO important that Homecoming festivities continue!!!
Now UMES students - keep up the good selfie work!!!!!!
Thugs crashed their own party!
Here's the results of the review.
This is a teachable moment. Actions have consequences. You act like snatched up animals and you do not enjoy the same opportunities that those who show respect have the opportunity to enjoy.
Cancelled! Not scheduled next year either.
I have been around long enough to recall many many problems with events associated with UMES. It will only get better when the consequences are porportionate to the perceived benefits!
And i am expecting expulsions Ms Bell? or do they get a Obama Pass ?
I would hope the only refunds given out will be to those who put a ticket stub in the box, and not the ones who rushed the gate without handing in their tickets?
After the videos posted on line of what I guess were students I am surprised any event on campus can be held with any sense of decorum. Their vocabulary alone spoke volumes for the intellectual prowess of the student body!!
She address's the inefficiency of entering the building but never mentions personal responsibility for ones own actions. By not mentioning the way these "students" acted she justifies their action as an appropriate response when delayed in any way. She is not preparing them to live in a an orderly civilized society she's preparing them for a stint in prison.
Thugs should be charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. I watched a video of a thug taunting the police and daring them to arrest him. Truly disturbing behavior that should have lead to an arrest.
The Snowflakes are melting.
Lots of out of control students make it very difficult on the students who do things right. Does more harm than good to UMES.
I am a old white privileged guy that finds this disturbing. Very nice letter that President Bell unfortunately need to pen. Thing is, this is not the first occurrence such as this. I don't like to complain without a solution, so don't take this as a complaint. How the heck do you vet a crowd to throw out the trash. Again, a shame for those wanting to have a visit with their peers.
If they are students that where arrested i want them expelled or i take my two kids out of UMES come summer what will it be Ms Bell ??
Snowflakes will fight for homecoming, social experiences and everything else UNRELATED to receiving a good education. They should be fighting for BETTER educators given what was mentioned above to a less than stellar graduation rate.
If you are business just to make money and herd the cattle through - I can understand. UMES is an education facility with its purpose in providing an education to those inclined to receive one.
Where did the message get lost...in the translation?
College students today will be running (or ruining) our country in 20 years.....WOW!
Pull ur kids out of UMES.
Relax everyone! These people are just getting ready for ECI!
Recall Ms Bell if she does nothing to the Thug students.
isnt umes just a pre incarceration facility for eci? appears that way!
The Black Racist Community > Black College
WBOC and WMDT will hire them .......
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