The University won’t pay for all of Homecoming 2007’s policing costs, said Vice-Principal (Academic) Patrick Dean.
At an Oct. 16 Council meeting, councillors voted 11 to two to ask Queen’s to pay the total policing costs relating to Homecoming weekend.
Estimated costs for the more than 200 police officers patrolling the Ghetto and Aberdeen Street between Friday evening and Sunday morning Oct. 12 to 14 could total a maximum of $353,000.
“Council doesn’t have the jurisdiction to demand payment of any kind, so the resolution of city council is merely a statement of the opinion of the councillors voting that Queen’s should cover the costs, rather than compel the University to do anything,” Deane said.
Deane said the University may make a contribution to the weekend’s costs, but it wouldn’t be a payment for services rendered over that weekend, during which about 6,500 partiers crowded onto Aberdeen Street. Seventy-six people were arrested and hundreds of charges were laid over the course of the weekend.
The University gave the city $100,000 following Homecoming 2006.
“Our contribution last year was intended to be just a contribution in recognition of the co-operation we received from the City and the police,” Deane said, adding that he can’t say when the University will know how much it’s donating this year.
He said they’re waiting to hear what costs the AMS incurred over the weekend from expenses such as the plastic cups that were handed out on Aberdeen Street.
“When we put those all together, sort it through and assess it, a decision will be reached about a contribution to the city,” he said.
“The decision about a contribution will ultimately be made by the principal, with consultation from the vice-principals.”
AMS President Kingsley Chak said the AMS is in the process of calculating the weekend’s costs.
Councillor Steve Garrison said if the University doesn’t pay the bill for Homecoming it would “show a lot of bad faith on the part of Queen’s.”
“Queen’s rakes in thousands of dollars, so why isn’t that money used to pay fees? It would be more feasible if the money comes from Homecoming donations.” If Queen’s doesn’t pay, he said it will damage its relationship with the city.
“Who can say how that will affect things down the road? There are numerous proposals and opportunities to work together over the course of the year and that goodwill could be jeopardized by Queen’s decision.”
Garrison said he would only be satisfied once Queen’s pays the full cost of policing.
“We could take the matter to the court of law, but I haven’t received any legal opinion if that would hold up.”
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].