Students' help on party issue is appreciated

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College student leaders should be congratulated for working with authorities to tone down disruptive parties in Lincoln.

The “We Agree” campaign is aimed at educating students about the consequences of parties that get out of control and encourages practices to prevent parties from being troublesome.

The Lincoln College Partnership includes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University and Southeast Community College.

Large parties that spontaneously spread into streets and adjacent yards have become an increasing problem in some neighborhoods. Last year, a local judge went to the unusual lengths of sentencing a 21-year-old to 30 days in jail because of repeated loud parties at the home he rented.

The partnership lists ways that a party can turn into a nightmare, including getting busted, getting robbed or having someone at the party become ill, sexually assaulted or sent to detox. The ultimate nightmare occurred in 2004 when UNL soccer player Jenna Cooper was killed at a party.

One of the common mistakes made in arranging a party is issuing open invitations, says a list of tips on the Web site maintained by NU Directions, the campus-community coalition that is leading the “We Agree” campaign.

“Word gets out that there’s a party, and suddenly 300 people show up for a space made for 50.”

The Web site minces no words about what really happens at some parties. “Gross as it sounds, a common complaint from neighbors is urinating in yards, alleys and everywhere else BUT the toilet. Nature may call, but so will the police.”

A guide to house parties “by students for students” put out by UNL also offers tips. One sample under the heading “Let your friendships work” states: “Keep an eye out for each other. If a friend is getting hit on hard or is the target in a drinking game, step in and get her out of it. If a friend is getting out of control, step in and say, ‘You’ve had enough for tonight.’ If that doesn’t work, get a group together and do it again.”

Those who find themselves ticketed this year by the “party patrol” of local law enforcement officers will face harsher penalties than previously under changes approved by the Lincoln City Council. A first-time conviction carries a mandatory $250 fine. A second conviction within 10 years means a $350 fine. Additional convictions mean a mandatory $400 fine and three days in jail.

Not all loud, obnoxious parties are hosted by college students, obviously. The partnership estimates that college students are responsible for only about one-fourth of the parties that draw complaints.

But local college students deserve recognition for taking steps to reduce the problem. The whole community appreciates their efforts, especially the people who live next door.