THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2004
HOMECOMING
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 9A
Hawktoberfest theme doesn't worry officials Homecoming theme hints at party, alcohol use not a big concern
BY STEPHANE FARLEY
sfarley@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The 2004 Oktoberfest has ended, but the "Hawktoberfest" is just beginning. The 171st Oktoberfest ended on October 3, after 5.9 million people visited and drank about 5.5 million liters of beer.
This year's homecoming theme is "Hawktoberfest: Home is Where the Hawk Is." The Homecoming Steering Committee tried to create a theme that tied in with Homecoming happening in October, said Chris Kaufman, co-director of the committee. Hawktoberfest, based off the German Oktoberfest, celebrates the pride and tradition of the University of Kansas, said Kaufman, Denver senior.
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"Home is Where the Hawk Is," which plays off of the phrase "Home is Where the Heart Is," represents the meaning of homecoming, reuniting students and alumni back together on Mount Oread, Kaufman said.
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Homecoming events, in the
Homecoming events in the past, have had little impact on the public safety office. Alcohol, in and of itself, is not a problem, but abusing alcohol and drinking under age is
past, have had little impact on the Public Safety Office, said Capt. Schuyler Bailey, spokesman for the KU Public Safety Office. Events such as Bill Cosby coming to speak require the office to bring in extra officers, Bailey said.
extra course.
Alcohol, in and of itself, is not a problem, but abusing alcohol and drinking under age is, said Barbara Ballard, associate director for Dole Institute of Politics civic programming and public outreach. Ballard said alcohol use was a concern on every campus, but the link between the German festival
and the University's homecoming was not a big concern.
"What that really means is a celebration," Ballard said.
The problem lies in what people associate with a name, said Ballard, chair of the Alcohol Task Force from 1998 until 2003.
Ballard said alcohol was considered to be part of the student experience.
experience.
Alcohol is usually involved at events such as homecoming because sports are involved, said Jannette Berkley-Patton, wellness coordinator for student health services administration.
with services admitted.
"I would assume that alcohol would probably be used because it is a social event and a sporting event. And social and sporting events make a good opportunity for consuming alcohol whether you're a college student or you're an adult," Berkley-Patton said.
an adult, Berkley
Berkley-Patton said the name
"Hawktoberfest" did concern
her to a certain degree.
her to a certain degree.
"I don't know that a name of an event is going to change the behavior that takes place, but we certainly know that the name conveys a lot."
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