Queen’s University Homecoming Set for Quieter Celebration Amid Reading Week

Queen’s University is poised for a quieter homecoming weekend as it coincides with Reading Week, according to local officials. Most students are expected to celebrate the following weekend instead, allowing for a calmer atmosphere in Kingston.

Julie Brown, Queen’s University’s media relations manager, emphasized the collaborative efforts among the university, the City of Kingston, and local authorities, including Kingston Police and KFL&A Public Health. “We have worked on a collaborative concept to help us through the homecoming weekend,” Brown noted.

Kingston Police are preparing for two weekends of activity, with an emphasis on safety and respect. Const. Anthony Colangeli, a media relations officer for the police, highlighted that while homecoming takes place on October 21, 2023, many students have opted for a “faux coming” the following weekend when more students return to campus.

To ensure a safe environment, police liaison teams have begun visiting student residences to disseminate safety messaging. “It’s a really non-enforcement, non-confrontational messaging,” Colangeli explained. “It’s a conversation with students saying, ‘We know you’re gonna have a party, we know you’re gonna have fun, here’s the way you can do it safely and avoid getting any fines and tickets.’”

The City of Kingston has reported success in its approach, citing a decrease in infractions over the years. Steve Mothersell, the city’s enforcement services manager, said, “Just seeing over the last couple of years how the students are responding and we’re issuing less and less tickets, that it’s been a huge success.” He attributed this success to the rapport built by police liaison teams with students.

The University District Safety Initiative is currently in effect, lasting until the first week of November 2023. This initiative allows the city to issue administrative monetary penalties and the university to take disciplinary action against those violating local bylaws.

With both the university and the city working together, officials hope to foster a respectful and enjoyable environment for students during this homecoming period.