Entertainment, few citations mark annual passage of Newman's Day

As of last night, Newman's Day seemed to have passed relatively quietly — except for the live bands.

By 7:30 p.m., no students had required medical transport, and Princeton Borough Police had issued only two citations.

In general, live bands and relaxing students adorned the lawns and backyards of several eating clubs yesterday afternoon as festivities for Newman's Day passed with little need for intervention from local health and crime personnel.

Participants in the annual event tried to drink 24 beers within 24 hours without napping, missing class or absenting themselves from other scheduled events. But many students just took advantage of the beautiful weather to drink moderately, socialize and listen to music.

Borough Police and Public Safety officials said the day was surprisingly quiet. As of 7:30 p.m., no students had been transported to McCosh Health Center or to Princeton Medical Center.

Borough Police Lt. Dennis McManimon said though several officers were patrolling the 'Street' all afternoon, their only action was to cite two students who were caught with beer on the sidewalk.

"We were going to take strict enforcement if anyone was drinking out on the street or on the sidewalks," McManimon said. "I think everybody knows the rules by now. They know when they can and can't be drinking."

Dean of Undergraduate Students Kathleen Deignan explained the University must balance two competing concerns when crafting alcohol policy. The University has to comply with state law, but at the same time does not want to discourage students who have consumed to excess and need medical help from seeking assistance.

"Students facing a decision about a friend . . . are sometimes, I think unfortunately, weighing in their minds 'Is this person going to get in trouble if I get them the medical help they need?' " she said.

Deignan acknowledged that the policy occasionally gives "amnesty" to students who need medical attention but explained that it is not a "free pass" for students to drink to excess on a regular basis.

"That would be to pervert the spirit of what was intended" by the policy, she said.

There are other methods the University employs to determine if students had been in violation of University policy.

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"The vast majority of students who end up in McCosh for intoxication are students who have never been there before and who will never be there again," Deignan said.