As of 12 a.m. Monday, alcohol is prohibited in Harrington Hall.
Dean of students Larry Batt said the prohibition of open or unopen alcohol is for an indefinite period of time.
It will last for at least the remainder of first semester and will be reviewed at the beginning of second semester.
A number of incidents from this past semester in the residence, including fire extinguishers being discharged, paper towel in a washroom being set on fire and broken glass in the residences, triggered the ban. Harrington’s first house party of the year in October ended early because of a fight in the second-floor lounge.
All of these incidents were highlighted by a report by Nancy O’Shea, director of student life and retention. She led a task force on problems in Harrington Hall this semester.
“This decision relates to what’s been going on in Harrington Hall this semester and how we felt it was necessary to respond to it,” Batt said.
“Drinking was recognized as a contributing factor in exacerbating other conduct issues. Based on that, I declared this alcohol prohibition.”
Bill MacLean, director of facilities management, said the incidents meant the problems in Harrington are now issues of health and safety.
“We’re aware that we need to have extinguishers available at all times. We’re moving into a different situation than somebody partying and having one drink too many,” Batt said.
Residents found out about the ban in a Sunday afternoon meeting at the Ted Daigle Auditorium. The meeting, which Batt estimated 100 students attended, was compulsory. Another will be held on Tuesday in a yet-to-be-determined spot for students who couldn’t make the first meeting.
First-year student Samuel Crowell couldn’t make Sunday’s meeting, but said the ban came as a surprise.
“It was just a little confusing…because we heard before that Harrington has done [much] worse things and compared to this year, we have been a bit messy…but we’re just a little shocked that ours got pinpointed out [as opposed to other residences].”
Most students contacted refused to speak to The Aquinian. One student who thought the ban was fair refused to give his name, saying he would be the most hated resident in Harrington.
Batt couldn’t speak specifically about how the ban will be enforced and admitted it could be hard to make sure everyone follows it. Enforcing the ban would fall under the responsibility of residence life staff.
