By Anna Hansen
Oct. 27, 2020
Edgewood’s Office of Student Inclusion and Involvement (OSII) hosted a Badger football tailgate party Oct. 24 that some students said was unsafe
The event, featuring a root beer keg and bean bag toss in Predolin’s Recreation Area, sought to divert Edgewood students from the potentially hazardous activities of downtown Madison. “It would be very, very naive for me to assume that none of our students would try to go [downtown],” said OSII director Shaunda Brown-Rivera.
Students in attendance said they were confident in the planning behind the event.
“I think there’s been a pretty decent amount of precautions taken on social distancing and planning of the event,” said Santi Elbow, a 2020 Edgewood graduate attending the event. “I just think it’s very important that we narrow down social distancing, mask-wearing, and try to limit the interaction.”
The tailgate was not without criticism. “It is reckless and dangerous for Edgewood OSII to be encouraging students to gather for an indoor tailgate party,” said Edgewood sophomore and Elementary Education major Benson Gilkison.
Gilkison said the rise in COVID cases is being attributed to indoor gatherings and rushed re-openings. “OSII is using its position as a trusted school resource to host a party that could increase cases even more. Our school preaches care and compassion for our community, and I’m outraged to see OSII disregarding those values for one night of fun.”
These concerns were echoed by another student, who wanted to remain anonymous. “I just feel that it is ridiculous that Edgewood is throwing a party during a pandemic and not channeling those resources into providing a safer on-campus experience for those of us who have to be in-person.”
In an Oct. 23 email addressed to students, Edgewood President Andrew Manion urged students interested in watching the opening Badger football game to resist the temptation of doing so in groups or partying. “If this is a sacrifice,” said Manion, “it’s a relatively small one.”
Brown-Rivera said that Residence Life was also encouraging students to watch the game in their dorms.
As far as Edgewood’s overall grasp on the pandemic, Brown-Rivera said she was confident in the efforts on campus. “I think we’re doing better than most” said Brown-Rivera. “Because our class sizes are automatically smaller, the number of students we have on campus are automatically smaller, we’re not dealing with 10,000 people on campus.”
Brown-Rivera said that OSII was able to ensure the safety of attendees at their events due to the “grab-and-go” nature of the events and the multiple room structures they have allotted each event, limiting capacity in each room.
“I am proud of how meticulous we are” she said. “What I want people to know is, if you choose to come and show up for an event, there is no way that we will put you in harm’s way intentionally.”
Post your comments