College, City Officials Team up to Ensure Cortaca Weekend Safety

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A student-organized Cortaca clean-up begins at 11 a.m. Sunday outside Brix Pubaria and offers a free t-shirt, food and prizes.

CORTLAND, NY (11/14/2013)(readMedia)-- SUNY Cortland and city officials have teamed up on a proactive approach to Cortaca weekend - increasing police patrols, communicating reminders about local laws and enforcing campus policies to ensure safety and order in the community.

Although the annual Cortaca Jug football game between rivals Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland takes place in Ithaca on Saturday, large numbers of fans are expected to celebrate in Cortland. That prompted SUNY Cortland Vice President for Student Affairs C. Gregory Sharer and City of Cortland Mayor Brian Tobin to lead a collaborative effort between the College and community.

The number of Cortland Police Department and University Police Department patrols will increase this weekend and all laws pertaining to the disruption of peace and tranquility in the community will be enforced. Parking regulations along with vehicle and traffic laws also will be strictly enforced.

In an open letter to campus signed by Sharer and Tobin, students were warned that loud parties, underage drinking, false identification, open alcoholic containers in public and disorderly conduct would attract the attention of police.

Additionally, students were reminded to keep residential areas clean by avoiding littering and depositing all garbage in designated containers. A clean-up organized by students in a SUNY Cortland communication studies class takes place at 11 a.m. Sunday, with volunteers meeting outside Brix Pubaria at 60 Main St. Cleaning supplies will be provided, and volunteers will be eligible to receive food, a t-shirt and prizes.

For more information on the clean-up effort, join the "Cortaca Clean Up 2013" event on Facebook.

The College also will enforce a visitor policy for its on-campus residents. Each resident is allowed one pre-registered guest for the weekend, and residents were reminded that they will be responsible for the actions of their guests.

On Friday, SUNY Cortland will host the 6th annual Cortaca Mug program from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. on Saturday at the Interfaith Center on Prospect Terrace. The alcohol-free event will feature live music by the Rock n' Blues Ensemble, free food, prize giveaways and several other activities.

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