<p>This weekend's riot in Amherst was very disturbing for me. For those who would like to dismiss this as a typical college incident should picture thousands of students clashing with police in full riot gear resulting in 80 arrests. This was one of our top candidate schools and now I am really concerned. I trust my D so the buses of party goers that leave campus on the weekend to go to frat houses don't bother me. But she wants to be surrounded by an academic atmosphere and people that take their education seriously and I want her to be surrounded by young adults who act like adults.</p>
<p>How prevalent is this behavior? Are there examples of colleges that do a better job at creating a positive atmosphere so this kind of thing doesn't happen? What questions should we be asking?</p>
<p>We are saying thanks but no thanks to Zoo Mass. Both daughters applied because they received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship so we figured why not apply. It has nothing to do with this weekend. We know kids that go there. Several kids are in the honors program and they seem to enjoy it. However, it was not a fit for my girls for reasons other than academics. This can happen at any campus. Penn State had issues years ago but the school has put controls in place with the town. We live an hour away from the campus and this is the first big incident I have heard of. </p>
<p>We know several kids at UMass - many are in the honors college and really like it there. We also know several who’ve graduated and are doing well post-graduation. My younger S applied and was accepted with good merit money (we are out of state) and UMass was definitely a contender in his mind. He ended up at a small LAC which ultimately has been the perfect fit for him. But I wouldn’t have hesitated to send him to UMass. It’s a shame that this happened and as TwinMom says, it can happen anywhere. And Amherst is a wonderful college town plus the 5 college consortium as well. My older S is at one of the other consortium schools and loves living in Amherst.</p>
<p>Twinmom, were they students of other colleges, or non-students??? My child has applied to three of the 5 schools in the area… I’d always felt Northampton was a pretty wholesome area -for a college town- so this is surprising and upsetting.</p>
<p>EDITED: I found this online, if anyone else has the same concern:
“Indeed, a broader search using student directories the other Five Colleges campuses, Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith, showed no students at any of those schools either.
In all, 20 UMass students, and one employee, were arrested, and four other students were summonsed to appear in court.”</p>
<p>@staceyneil
Northampton is awesome and so is Amherst. The main reason we are not considering colleges in that area is that it is way too close to home. I always felt that part of the college experience is being away from your surroundings. I really would not hesitate sending my kids to UMASS if it is what they wanted and had what they were looking for. Personally, I am hoping one of my daughters chooses Penn State. They had a similar incident a few years ago on top of that Sandusky scandal. It does not diminish the quality of the education she will get there and the awesome experience she will have living in Happy Valley. I will know her decision in April after a few more visits to schools and a few more notifications from schools she has not heard from. </p>
<p>@staceyneil - my older son is at Hampshire and said that the party involved mostly UMass students (if not all). He felt students from the other of the five colleges weren’t involved. Northampton/Amherst truly is a wonderful place to attend college. Your findings support what my son said. I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable at all having a daughter attend any of the schools there.</p>
<p>UMass Amherst is huge, something like a city. With that many students all in the Amherst area, living in off campus apartments, etc, 80 arrests is actually a small amount, statistically. Most students avoid trouble like that, and every college has students who push the envelope and get nuts. It’s how administration handles such students that matters. UMass Amherst is a very good school, and the majority of students take pride in themselves and act appropriately.</p>
<p>Not only were most of the arrested people from other colleges, but the gatherings/riots were off-campus. The town fathers need to impress upon the bars and liquor stores that promoting this event is unacceptable, and that their liquor licenses could be in jeopardy. S didn’t leave campus on Saturday and saw nothing of this.</p>
<p>As mentioned above "But a review of names by The Republican / MassLive.com – the findings of which were confirmed by Amherst police and university officials Monday night – shows about 60 percent of those arrested were not UMass students.</p>
<p>Of the 60 people arrested, cited or summonsed, and named, by Amherst and UMass police as a result of Saturday’s events, 35 would appear to have no connection to UMass.</p>
<p>Indeed, a broader search using student directories the other Five Colleges campuses, Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith, showed no students at any of those schools either." </p>
<p>Sounds like locals? I agree the bars need to NOT promote this event. </p>
<p>It’s unfortunate also given the airplay when the Red Sox won the world series last year and the riots that ensued after that. Agree that UMass is a very good school but these activities aren’t helping its reputation at all unfortunately.</p>
<p>I think it also came at a bad time, the same weekend as acceptances. I agree that it is not a reason to turn down a college but D realizes how important atmosphere is on a campus. It also opens up more conversation about weekend behavior. And poor choices. </p>
<p>Boston TV news spoke to two kids as they left court yesterday. One was from the University of RI, and the other was from Bridgewater St. University (SE of Boston). As far as the Red Sox winning the world series last fall, students gathered to watch the clinching game outside on a huge screen (school sponsored). When students looked like they were going to get rowdy, campus police dispersed the crowd and things were nipped in the bud.</p>
<p>Evergreen1929—this didn’t take place on campus, it was in town.</p>
<p>UMass has a great academic reputation and is not easy to gain admission. Every school has its "party " atmosphere and it is up to the student to protect themselves from that. Tired of hearing ZooMass.</p>
<p>There are private schools like Dartmouth and Colgate that have a huge culture of heavy drinking as well, yet, they are just as popular and desirable as ever. The writers of Animal House, for example, used Dartmouth, their alma mater, as the model for Faber College. Again, as I stated before, this all occurred OFF CAMPUS, promoted by bars and liquor stores IN TOWN. </p>
<p>Those who won’t let go of the ZooMass name are living in the past.</p>
<p>I am liking the value and location of UMass more and more. It is still near the top of my Ds list. CC posters are correct. The education begins at home so I’m working on it with D. </p>