One Last Fascist Email (Hopefully)

Well there was one final “warning” sent about 8pm tonight and this one might have been sent out to the entire Stevens community as opposed to the other ones being just to those residing in off-campus housing.

Enjoy:

To:     Stevens Community
From:   Kenneth Nilsen, Dean of Student Life
Date:   March 5, 2010
Re:     Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade and associated city-wide partying will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2010.  This event brings thousands of people to Hoboken which in the past has created issues related to public intoxication, public indecency and general safety concerns.

As a result, Hoboken Police have established a “Zero Tolerance Policy” for open containers, public urination, excessive noise from house parties, and disorderly conduct. .  Specifically, the Hoboken Police along with the Hudson County Prosecutors Office will have officers (uniformed and plain clothes) enforcing the following ordinances:

  1. City Ordinance 145-23 A/B (Consumption of Alcohol/Open Container in Public)- Any person seen possessing an open container of alcohol in public faces maximum penalties of a fine up to $2,000, and the possible sentence of having to perform Community Service.
  2. City Ordinance 145-22 (Urinating in Public)- Any person observed urinating on public streets, sidewalks or in parks faces maximum penalties of a fine up to $2,000, and the possible sentence of having to perform Community Service.
  3. New Jersey State Statute 2C:33-12 (Maintaining a Nuisance) – House parties have become our largest problem on the parade day. The maximum penalties for this offense are imprisonment of up to 6 months and fines not to exceed $1,000.
  4. New Jersey State Statute 2C: 33-2a (Disorderly Conduct, Improper Behavior) – A Person is guilty of disorderly conduct if “with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he, (1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior, or (2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.” This offense carries maximum penalties of a 30 day prison term and a fine not to exceed $500.

The best approach is to act in responsible manner and avoid any behavior that makes you or your friends a target for a police officer response. If you have any questions, please contact Stevens Police at 201-216-5105.

Stevens Enacts Fascist Policy

[Edit]: Also, it has been quite disappointing by the lack of reaction from students who did receive this e-mail but I guess that once again speaks volumes about the apathy of the student body here. [/Edit]

I just received this email which I can understand is Stevens taking a little precaution but it seems rather extreme that there is absolutely a “no guest” policy for a 24-hour period. This policy also states “other Stevens students who are not assigned to your apartment” are also prohibited from visiting your place which means either you stay in your apartment / dorm room all day without visitors or if you do want to see people, you do it out or about Hoboken.

March 3, 2010

Dear Faraz:

In the interest of maintaining a safe and secure environment during Hoboken’s St. Patrick’s Day activities, on this Saturday, March 6, 2010, The Office of Residence Life is instituting a NO GUESTS policy from 9 am Saturday through 9 am Sunday.  Stevens’ students will not be permitted to have guests in any of our off campus housing locations.  This also applies to other Stevens students who are not assigned to your apartment.

Please be aware of some of the regulations concerning this weekend:

  • Hoboken is issuing swift and strong penalties (fines over $2000, arrests…) to anyone found in violation of city ordinances
  • Zero tolerance policy for any disturbances (including: noise, alcohol, vandalism, public intoxication, verbal/physical altercation, disorderly conduct…)
  • Throwing things off of the balcony or out of windows may result in arrest or permanent removal from the apartment
  • Violation of Hoboken or Stevens policies will jeopardize your current and future Stevens housing and result in additional judicial sanctions

We will be fully staffed and conducting continuous rounds throughout the building on Saturday.  We solicit your assistance in being a “good neighbor” and reporting any inappropriate conduct to your RC or the Center Desk at (201) 216-5105.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions and we thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

Tony Blazini

Director of Residence Life

It really is a mediocre attempt by Stevens to try and control things on St. Patrick’s Day and I guess this weekend will tell how they ended up enforcing that or whether it was an empty threat.