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
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
A candidate for Germany's key party was beaten up while campaigning for European elections
A candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left party in next month's election for the European Parliament was beaten up and seriously injured while campaigning in an eastern city, the party said Saturday.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.