Cal Poly will host their second Morning on the Green: A Mustang Music Festival, a free festival for Cal Poly students, with double the capacity of last year’s — now accommodating 10,000 students.
The event will be located at the Sports Complex Lower Fields on March 14. There will be more details to come later in February. They are actively working with SLO law enforcement and community partners to ensure the safety of the festival.
READ MORE: We’re not kidding’: Cal Poly and SLO shift from St. Fratty’s containment to prevention
Cal Poly also plans to set up sobering stations on campus to provide support and an alternative to jail for those who are intoxicated. In addition, they will also have restrictions in the residence halls during the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day.
In an email sent from Joy Pendersen, Cal Poly’s dean of students, on Thursday, she outlined the repercussions of unsafe or disruptive behavior during the celebrations, as well as the campus alternative event. The collaboration between Cal Poly, ASI, and the InterFraternity Council is part of an ongoing effort with the City of San Luis Obispo to prevent student endangerment and illegal activity within the neighborhoods.
READ MORE: SLO City Council Voices Concerns about Alternative Event for St. Fratty’s
While last year’s festival decreased the amount of citations, student conduct cases, medical transport and vandalism, the festival was not all a success.
Last year, the event had a capacity of 5,000 students, causing the tickets to sell out in three minutes. Morning on the Green had several security failures and crowd surges, which demonstrates the ongoing challenges of controlling the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
For residence halls, Thursday’s email said that no guests will be allowed from 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 through 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17. This will include not only outside guests, but students from other housing communities. No overnight guest parking permits will be issued, and campus access will be restricted. To enter residence halls, you must be a resident with a valid student ID.
University Housing damage charges will be doubled during this time period.
Likewise, the City of San Luis Obispo will enforce a Safety Enhancement Zone, which doubles fines for violations such as noise disturbances, unruly gatherings and public intoxication during the following times:
- 12 a.m. March 6 to 7 a.m. March 9
- 12 a.m. March 13 to 7 a.m. March 16
- 12 a.m. March 17 to 7 a.m. March 18
The fines will begin at $700, with unruly gathering citations starting at $1,000 and all student arrests and citations will be reported to Cal Poly for conduct review.
The email urged students to choose safety when celebrating. It advised students to stick with friends, plan safe transportation, manage noise and look out for one another. Resources such as Mustang Patrol, the Mustang Shuttle and the Mustang Safe app will be available during these times to support student safety.