Hoping the return of HOCO will take the edge off FOCO
Western University has returned Homecoming to its traditional late September time frame — the move comes after years of what has become FOCO, a fake Homecoming weekend launched by students and geared specifically to partying.
Western officials are hoping to put the emphasis back on university pride.
It's a message student Madeline Stanton is taking to heart, telling CTV News London on Saturday, "Just control your alcohol intake is all I would say. It kind of pushes people to do a little bit of stupid stuff but just don't be dumb. It's a very prestigious school. We have a lot of hard work to do."
The university has been working to put more focus on on-campus activities, like the Homecoming football game, with the Western Mustangs going up against the Waterloo Warriors in an afternoon tilt — the game was sold out.
Police and other emergency services are on standby as Western University students celebrate Homecoming weekend in London, Ont. on September 24, 2022. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
There were numerous social medial posts from last year’s FOCO of people jumping from utility poles into crowds below.
Last year, the rain started early but it cleared late in the day as parties raged on. More than 30 people were taken to hospital, six with serious or critical injuries.
The weather dynamic has been very different this year with sun in the morning and clouds building in and rain expected through the evening.
Still, there were a number of parties taking place on streets branching off Richmond Street, near the university. At one point, police closed Richmond Street to southbound traffic, and late in the afternoon closed off Richmond to vehicle traffic entirely.
It was all hands on deck by the noon hour on Broughdale Avenue — where partiers have traditionally gathered — with police, firefighters and paramedics patrolling the street.
Const. Sandasha Bough of the London Police Service says police had addition hands, as well.
Police and other emergency services are on standby as Western University students celebrate Homecoming weekend in London, Ont. on September 24, 2022. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
"We have a number of officers here from London as well as York Regional Police and Hamilton, just in order to ensure that everybody remains but we're able to provide service to the rest of the city as well,” she says.
They’ve also taken steps improve access to Broughdale Avenue in the event of an emergency.
"If we need to get an emergency vehicle into someone we need to ensure we’re able to access the roadway,” she adds. “A number of barriers have been put in place today. The roads have been closed for that very reason."
As for the students, they hope people allow them to blow off some steam as they head into another school year.
Thomas Rea is one of the students out partying, telling CTV News London, "I think it's a great day of the year. Another day to drink, have fun with our friends and celebrate, and then get back to the books tomorrow."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.