'There were parties everywhere': Acadia homecoming sees off-campus partying lead to on-campus testing
Another homecoming weekend at a Nova Scotia university has led to a raft of tickets for partying in the streets.
Acadia University's homecoming festivities took over the town of Wolfville, N.S. on Saturday night, with students partying in the streets, and on one landlord's roof.
"Right now, it's the windows of two properties that I own here," says landlord Don Rafuse, who's Wolfville property was damaged during Saturday night's partying.
RCMP moved in and handed out a total of 37 fines, the majority for violating liquor laws.
"That may include under-age drinking, or illegal possession of alcohol, consuming in public, public intoxication, that sort of thing," says Const. Jeff Wilson of the Kings District RCMP.
No one was fined for violating Public Health orders, but the off-campus parties have led to on-campus testing.
Just as Dalhousie University did a few weeks ago, Acadia is advising students not to go to class until they get tested.
"We're taking an approach that's unique to Acadia, but we definitely listen to, learn from, and get guided by what other universities are doing, because we're all facing the same situation really," says Acadia University president Peter Ricketts.
"I anticipate the numbers to go up," adds Caroliina Landry, Acadia's occupational health nurse. "There should be a good uptick. I put out a message this morning."
Acadia student Sean Hanlon says he was in the crowd on Saturday. While he believes vandals should be punished, he doesn't think party-goers should be.
"Saturday night was very hectic, there were parties everywhere," says Hanlon. "I saw a lot of people and everybody just seemed to be having a good time, relaxing from the semi-stressful school year start."
The school plans to work with the RCMP to gather more information, but says the disciplinary process could take "weeks to months."
"Taking it out on individual students, just because they were there … that would not be an appropriate response from the university," says Ricketts.
The Acadia homecoming comes just three weeks after Dalhousie's homecoming saw Halifax Regional Police hand out 41 summary offence tickets, after a day of rowdy partying on Sept. 25.
Dalhousie University says it is continuing its investigation into those students' actions, but won't reveal details citing privacy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.