Homecoming parties draw significant crowds on university campuses

Several large, unsanctioned student parties have appeared in the neighbourhoods near campuses over the last few weeks, in some instances sparking calls for action from the local communities. Residents from 14 households near Dalhousie University issued an open letter asking for a public meeting with the mayor, the police chief, and Dal’s president after a major street party. and both report arrests, tickets, and hospital visits that resulted from unofficial gatherings near McMaster University and Western University, which each drew “thousands” of students and partiers. In Ottawa, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa co-hosted “PandaFest,” an official tailgate party that was held after the annual Panda Game. Moving the game to earlier in the day and creating an official post-game party reportedly helped to reduce the amount of unofficial partying surrounding the annual game.