Eastern Illinois University releases its list of planned enhancements to safety and security for on-campus parties.
This announcement comes more than a week after police say an Eastern fraternity hosted an event called the Barn party where two people were shot.
President William Perry says list was presented by a working group including both a student and staff members from a variety of campus offices.
Vice president for student affairs Dan Nadler says the working group reviewed existing policies and procedures for on-campus events and reviewed the practices of other colleges and universities, particularly those closest to EIU.
He says EIU’s policies are reviewed regularly and periodically revised, but that the recent events prompted an additional review.
Nadler says the university is not trying to interfere with the enjoyment of students and their guests when they attend on-campus parties.
The working group has suggested the following changes which President Perry has agreed to adopt:
• With the exception of certain events, EIU students may bring one EIU or non-EIU student guest to a late-night event.
• With the exception of certain events, tickets must be purchased by noon on Friday in advance of the event.
• Tickets will be sold through University Tickets – an online service. No tickets will be sold at the door.
• As before, all students and guests must have a photo ID for admittance. However, now on entrance to the event, student IDs will be electronically card-swiped.
Non-EIU student guest IDs will be scanned or photographed.
These additions to the policy will allow the university and the sponsoring organization know who is in attendance and also reduce lines and crowding at the event entrance since students and guests will know in advance that they have a ticket.
In addition to the policy change, Nadler says the university will engage the staff – including the University Police Department – in special event management training based on best practices in the industry.