NARRAGANSETT, RI — The Narragansett City Council has rejected a motion that would allow the University of Rhode Island Panhellenic Council to host its annual “Seize the Day with Greek Life” event on the city beach.
The event, planned for Tuesday, September 3, would have brought together approximately 800 to 1,000 students for a recruitment event, but was rejected by a tie vote of 2-2 at Monday night’s council meeting (Councilmember Susan Cicilline Buonanno was absent from the meeting).
Trinity O’Neill, vice president of recruitment for the Panhellenic Council, described the event during the meeting as an opportunity for incoming URI students to socialize with the city in a positive, drug-free environment.
“It’s also a feeling of relaxation and getting to know Greek life. And everyone loves Narragansett Town Beach, that’s why we chose it,” she said.
City Councilwoman Jill Lawler expressed concern that the potential influx of students arriving on the first day the beach opens for free after Labor Day could pose a logistical challenge for local police and lifeguards.
“The day after Labor Day, and traditionally the day after Labor Day, the beach is free,” Lawler said. “We have a lot of people coming from all over the state to spend a day at the beach. What’s the plan? Because we’re going to have a thousand URI students there, and then the rest of the state is coming to have a nice day at the beach. Let’s not forget our city dwellers who may come as well. How is this all going to work out?”
O’Neill explained that students would be bused to the event in groups to avoid overcrowding. The university also planned to provide wristbands to monitor attendees, have police on site, and have student leaders to manage the event.
“I just wanted to stress that students will be coming and going as well and that everyone attending this event will be together,” O’Neill said. “This is also a drug-free event and any disruptive behavior will be dealt with by staff and police, and students will also be held accountable through the university’s conduct system. So we take this very seriously. This is also a recruiting event.”
Council member Steven Ferrandi expressed discomfort with the lack of representation from URI administration at the meeting.
“I want assurances from URI before I can even think about voting on this,” Ferrandi said. “I just don’t like the whole idea without someone from URI approving it. Who’s going to cover all the costs? Who’s going to get the bill?”
“I just want to point out that this event has been planned for the last five years without any problems,” O’Neill added.
