Student Conduct and Kent Police will be cracking down on disciplinary action during Fake Patty’s Day this weekend, with Kent Police starting their patrols at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

Lt. Michael Lewis of the Kent PD said the police department has collaborated with Kent State, on and off campus, educating students on the dangers and risks of having a party on Fake Patty’s Day.

“The city and campus police have been very proactive this year speaking with students and student organizations trying to deter Fake Patty’s Day altogether,” Lewis said.

Fake Patty’s Day, celebrated for three years now, is currently student based. The fear for Lewis is the event will become as large as Halloween and draw in non-students. He said it is up to the students to keep the occasion under control.

Halloween at Kent State this past year had less student arrests than the previous Fake Patty’s Day.

“Halloween has become so big in Kent, it draws many people outside the city,” Lewis said. “Sixty arrests were made from this past Halloween and only 18 of them were Kent students. Fake Patty’s Day, however, is home-grown and student populated.”

According to Lewis, the Kent Police made 40 arrests and 160 calls-for-service on Fake Patty’s Day last year. These numbers are expected to rise as this student holiday continues to grow in popularity.

Kent Police has the support of the Office of Student Conduct, who will be enforcing harsher punishments for any violations this weekend.

Todd Kamenash, the assistant dean of students and director of Student Conduct for Kent State, sent a letter addressed to off-campus student residents and organizations, including: The Center for Student Involvement, fraternity & sorority life, Recreational Services, Residence Services, Division of Athletics and Kent apartment managers.

The letter reminds students their off-campus behavior must still fall in line with the Student Code of Conduct, as students are seen as a reflection of the university.

“Kent State University Police, Kent Police, Student Conduct and myself want to share a message of safety, good decision-making and student behavior expectations for the coming weekend,” Kamenash said.

Student Conduct urges students to consider their goals and priorities before making decisions and participating in events that could lead to disciplinary referral or dismissal.

Tricia Knoles, community resource officer for the Kent State Police Department, is most concerned with the crowds that gather around frat houses.

“Reports of student behavior will be taken seriously,” Knoles said. “We are prepared, with Kent Police, for all events this weekend.”

Knoles said Kent State Police will have extra officers on call Saturday morning to assist the city police.

Apartment complexes have also been notified by the Kent Police to monitor any large parties this weekend.

Lewis spoke to the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council to encourage Greek life members to not participate in the event. Greek life members and students in campus organizations can lose affiliation if arrested.

“Walking around neighborhoods or downtown Kent with an open container will not be tolerated,” Lewis said. “Our top priority is safety for students and the community.”

Sarah Lorenz is the Downtown and Neighborhoods reporter, contact her at [email protected].