Cal Poly: Dorms damaged, students evacuated after St. Patrick’s Day partying trashes campus

Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong condemned the behavior of students and visitors during St. Patrick’s Day partying that left several university buildings trashed and saw numerous reports of thefts from on-campus facilities on Saturday morning.

The reported damage came as nearby, thousands of students and visitors crowded a neighborhood next to the college for an annual block party known as St. Fratty’s Day.

“I’m disappointed and disgusted as I write to you today about the behavior that some of our students and campus visitors displayed when they took part in early morning St. Patrick’s Day partying that caused significant damage to Muir Hall and several other University Housing facilities,” Armstrong wrote in an email to the campus community Saturday afternoon.

In his letter, Armstong said Muir Hall on campus had “damage so extensive that university officials were forced to temporarily close the building and evacuate about 300 student residents in order to repair and restore fire suppression and alarm systems, clean up destruction and debris from smashed ceiling tiles and marred floors and provide deep cleaning and air quality restoration throughout.”

He added that similar, but less severe damage was reported in Trinity and Fremont halls, as well as the newer yakʔitʸutʸu residence halls, and that dining facilities and markets “reported widespread theft during the morning hours Saturday.”

Cal Poly spokesman Matt Lazier said Muir Hall reopened Saturday evening and students had been allowed back into their dorms.

Cal Poly students turned out early Saturday morning, March 16, 2024, for St. Fratty’s Day festivities on Hathway Avenue near the university. A San Luis Obispo Police Department officer at the scene estimated between 6,000 and 7,000 people in attendance. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com

Cal Poly to respond to damage, potential criminal reports after partying

Armstrong also noted that students “were a large portion” of the thousands who gathered at a massive block party off-campus that damaged cars and property.

“These selfish and harmful actions are unacceptable for individuals who have been granted the privilege to study, live and work in the Cal Poly community,” he said. “It is confounding and deeply disturbing that a portion of our own students so ignorantly and callously destroyed parts of our campus — including the very places they and so many other students live.“

Armstrong did note that administration was aware there were more visitors to campus this year than in previous years during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Nevertheless, he said, the university will hold its students and other individuals accountable for the damage. and Cal Poly’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities will respond to reports it receives of students whose behavior violated policies.

“Likewise, any reports of criminal activity — by our own students or by any campus visitor — shared with our Cal Poly Police Department will be fully investigated and individuals will be held accountable,” Armstrong said.

Those who witnessed any crimes or violations of policy were asked to report them to the Dean of Students Office during special hours Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I know our Cal Poly students to be intelligent and accomplished,” Armstrong concluded. “As such, we strive to treat every student with respect and as responsible young adults. Our expectation in return is that students act like responsible young adults. If that basic respect is too much to ask of some of you, then this university is not the right fit for you.”

Cal Poly students turned out early Saturday morning, March 16, 2024, for St. Fratty’s Day on Hathway Avenue near the university. A San Luis Obispo Police Department officer at the scene of the party estimated between 6,000 and 7,000 people in attendance. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com

Thousands pack neighborhoods surrounding Cal Poly

St. Fratty’s Day is an annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition at Cal Poly that today generally takes the shape of a massive block party in a neighborhood near the San Luis Obispo university.

Saturday was no exception, as police estimated roughly 6,000 to 7,000 people — many of whom appeared to be Cal Poly students — gathered along Hathway Avenue between Carpenter and Fredericks streets in the wee hours of the morning — most in various states of intoxication.

The revelers appeared well-behaved for the most part throughout the morning. At one point, one person dressed in an Irish flag tried to climb a telephone pole. And a car on Hathaway Avenue had a smashed windshield.

There was a heavier police presence than in previous years on Saturday as the San Luis Obispo Police Department increased staffing ahead of the popular party holiday. It also had doubled fines for noise ordinances, public urination, open container and other similar crimes during the holiday.

In a news release Saturday night, the San Luis Obispo Police Department said it began receiving disturbance calls around 3:30 a.m. as “parties related to the St. Patrick’s Day holiday commenced in various neighborhoods.”

According to the release, the department issued citations for various violations, including noise, unruly gatherings, open containers, public urination and public intoxication throughout the morning.

A car window was broken during the St. Fratty’s Day festivities on Hathway Avenue near the university on March 16, 2024. A San Luis Obispo Police Department officer at the scene of the party estimated between 6,000 and 7,000 people in attendance.

Around 6 a.m. it also closed off the streets surrounding Hathway Avenue and Bond Street “in the interest of public safety,” the release said.

“Throughout the morning, SLOPD continued its efforts to maintain order, resulting in a large number of citations and arrests,” the release said. “Despite the challenges posed by the celebrations, there were no major incidents reported within the city.”

The department noted there was damage to several cars in the neighborhoods. Those whose property was damaged were asked to contact the police department at 805-781-7312.

“The San Luis Obispo Police Department emphasizes the importance of responsible celebration and urges all community members to prioritize safety and respect local ordinances throughout the weekend,” the release said.

St. Fratty’s Day has brought neighborhood disturbances in the past.

In 2015, a roof collapsed during a St. Fratty’s Day party, injuring eight people. Last year, a crowd of nearly 4,000 closed down streets near campus during an early-morning St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Cal Poly students turned out early Saturday morning, March 16, 2024, for St. Fratty’s Day on Hathway Avenue near the university. A San Luis Obispo Police Department officer at the scene of the party estimated between 6,000 and 7,000 people in attendance. John Lynch/jlynch@thetribunenews.com