Students at Syracuse University were shocked to hear that the university tradition Mayfest will now be held on a day of regular classes. A day meant to celebrate of student achievement has become an off-campus drinking party for a lot of students. At the Spaghetti Supper at Our Lady of Pompei School, mayoral candidate Otis Jennings was asked his opinion on Mayfest.
“I’m all about young people but I’m all about safety at the same time,” Jennings said.
Jennings says it is critical that the university keep the event as long as changes are made to help improve student safety. He said Mayfest would be safer if it were located at Walnut Park where the alcohol consumption can be controlled.
Jennings says he would create a fair-type atmosphere in order to distract students from solely spending their time drinking. He suggested adding more activities for students to participate in, such as bounce houses and dunk tanks, to help change the community’s negative outlook on the event as well as providing other sources of entertainment for students.
Chief of SU's Department of Public Safety Tony Callisto disagrees. Castillo explained there was minimal involvement from students in the activities that were provided in last year’s Mayfest. He says the change of location and the additional activities will not draw students away from drinking.
“Anytime you get three thousand people together and there is alcohol involved there is danger. We [Department of Public Safety] prefer that a several long block party does not occur because no good can come from it,” Callisto said.
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