WLU reminds students to ‘be respectful’ during Homecoming Weekend (update)

As Laurier students and alumni prepare to gather this weekend for the university's Homecoming Weekend, Wilfrid Laurier University's Vice-President of Student Affairs, Ivan Joseph, has issued a reminder for attendees to celebrate in a “respectful manner” – while also emphasizing a strong partnership with the city, police and emergency response partners to ensure community safety. 

With purple and gold set to fill the streets around Laurier's campuses from September 22 to 25 in Waterloo, Joseph said the institution is looking forward to welcoming back alumni, asking attendees to look out for one another and neighbours while celebrating “all that makes us proud of being a Golden Hawk.”

Plans for the festivities include in-person events like an alumni awards ceremony, pancake breakfast and football game in Waterloo – as the Laurier Golden Hawks take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees at University Stadium. That event will also see the return of the “Alumni Endzone Party” and the “West Endzone Party.”

You can find a full list of Laurier Homecoming events and purchase tickets here, while Homecoming events at Laurier's Brantford campus are set to take place on October 22. 

The notice from Joseph comes just two weeks after a large, unsanctioned gathering in the Ezra Avenue area of Waterloo resulted in damage to several vehicles, injuries for two individuals and an “extensive” amount of litter – prompting Joseph to condemn the event while decrying the gathering as a “bad look” for the entire community. WLU also indicated that any attendees identified in that incident found to be involved in property damage, vandalism or other offences could face disciplinary action from the university – including suspension or expulsion. 

In addition, members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service's General Investigations Unit have stepped in to investigate that earlier gathering, while also issuing a statement emphasizing that unsanctioned gatherings can lead to unsafe conditions, and place a strain on police resources. 

Police have said, more than 650 charges have been issued in the first four weeks of Project Safe Semester, which is the highest total ever for the month-long safety campaign.

That's up from 310 total charges in last years campaign but, police noted that pandemic restrictions and virtual learning may have played a part in the total. 

As you think about #LaurierHomecoming weekend, think about what it means to be a Laurier Golden Hawk, how you represent yourself to our alumni and the Cities of Waterloo and Brantford, and the impact of your choices. 

Find safety information: https://t.co/C04RiwQPQ9 pic.twitter.com/Cpp93D5QO9

— Wilfrid Laurier University (@Laurier) September 20, 2022