Every spring, UT’s Student Productions organization presents Party in the Park, a concert event featuring a special musical guest.
Last year, a UT student was arrested for causing a disturbance at the Lupe Fiasco concert after an argument regarding how to exit the park.
SP music chair Kristen Mathe says last year’s incident was the worst they’ve seen at Party in the Park.
“Each year, there are a select few students who exhibit inappropriate or unsafe behavior which results in them being escorted out of the park by security or UT staff,” Mathe said. “Last year’s incident has been the only major incident we have had at Party in the Park, and we hope that we will not have another incident such as this.”
Mathe says SP tries to change the security based on issues from previous years.
“The incident that occurred last year was unfortunate because the girl involved was intoxicated and jumped over the barricades, which are put in place for a reason,” she said.
Security personnel keep students from going backstage because of the sound equipment. Tampa police and campus security are also positioned around the park to prevent disturbances and keep students safe.
Mathe says the major reason for disturbances at these concerts is the excessive consumption of alcohol prior to arriving at the concert.
“Last year was especially hectic because the concert occurred on a Friday, and many students attended happy hour right before,” she said.
Planning for this event begins at the end of August and lasts all year. I am the music chair of SP, and oversee a board of 10 students to plan this event. We coordinate everything from the artist contract, to barricades, volunteers, security, catering, etc.
Along with Tampa police and campus security, an EMT is located in the Riverside parking lot in case anyone needs medical attention.
Junior elementary education major Kaylee Nonnemacher says she will attend the concert, but is not excited about all aspects of it.
“I’m not a huge 3OH!3 fan but I’ll never turn down a free concert,” she said.