University administrators and Evanston officials expressed cautious optimism Thursday afternoon as the Northwestern community prepares for Dillo Day.
Dean of Students Burgwell Howard said the annual music festival provides the unique potential to make or break city residents’ perception of the student body. He added rambunctious or reckless behavior could leave a “bitter taste in people’s mouths” that could last until the next academic year.
“Obviously, Dillo Day is one of those things that I and others think about year-round,” Howard said.
But he also emphasized the numerous measures NU has implemented to ease neighbors’ reservations about the upcoming weekend. At a community meeting last week, Evanston residents and NU students discussed pre-Dillo Day arrangements, including doorknob hangers with local ordinances printed on them and advance flyers notifying residents of the end-of-the-day fireworks.
However, the primary objective, Howard noted, is to erase skewed perceptions of what Dillo Day actually entails.
“For many people, their understanding of Dillo Day is the party that happened in the backyard next door last year,” he said.
Lucile Krasnow, NU’s special assistant for community relations, agreed there’s always the unfortunate possibility of excessive partying but said she’s “real hopeful” this year’s occasion goes off without a hitch. She attributed her optimistic attitude to “tremendous” precautionary efforts by Associated Student Government, the Office of Student Affairs, Mayfest and University Police.
“I think that the students have tried very, very, very hard to cover all bases,” Krasnow said. “I think that all the components are in place to have a great celebration.”
Ald. Delores Holmes (5th) was more reluctant to praise the University’s strides toward ensuring a painless Dillo Day.
“I think that they’ve been doing a much better job this year,” she said, emphasizing those last two words. “Every year they improve.”
Holmes added the informative doorknob hangers are a well-intentioned gesture but ultimately ineffective if student residents neglect to read them.
In addition to the ramped-up literature, Howard said University officials have been “engaging the city throughout the year” in a variety of broader endeavors. He cited the recently held NU Gives Back community service day as a prime example of strengthening the NU-Evanston bond.
“That really pays huge dividends,” Howard said. “It’s great.”
University President Morton Schapiro commented on Dillo Day’s delicate situation in a recent interview with The Daily, saying he hopes it will “reflect positively on the Northwestern experience.” He also commended Howard and Assistant Dean of Students Betsi Burns for taking the proper precautions prior to Saturday’s event.
Yet, regardless of such preventative safeguards, there is always a lingering uncertainty about student conduct during Dillo Day, Schapiro added.
“It’s one of those days you just cross your fingers that everybody, you know, behaves in a way that represents the best at Northwestern and they make good decisions,” he said. “And it’s scary. It’s a scary thing to be president of Northwestern, but it’s also a great day.”
When asked whether this weekend’s festivities will proceed without any major incidents, Holmes chuckled.
“I’m praying that it will,” she said. “I’ll be out there looking.”
Dillo Day begins with opening act and student band whysowhite at 12:45 p.m. Saturday. Schapiro is slated to address the student body at 1:15 p.m., and seven other acts, including rapper B.o.B and indie rock collective The New Pornographers, will follow his speech throughout the evening.
