August 8, 2024
@BarstoolHPU on Instagram posted an email on Wednesday, August 7 that confirmed that Derby Day would not be happening and a new event would take place, ‘Picnic in the Park.’ The email also stated that security and police would be briefed during a morning meeting and sent out to patrol campus.
A senior who runs the @BarstoolHPU account said, “Derby Day has always been something that I’ve looked forward to every year. Meeting some of my closest friends on Derby Day freshman year was a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Seeing that being stripped from students, especially those first-year students, is the equivalent of shredding the one piece of school spirit the students of HPU have.”
What is Derby Day?
Derby Day is the highly anticipated start of school celebration. It takes place on the Saturday after the first week of classes, this year it is on August 24.
The university throws its own party with games, food and events held on the Promenade to welcome students back to their home and encourage new students to make new friends.
However, students hold their own celebration. It's the only Saturday during the year that students will willingly wake up at 6 a.m. to start their pre-game festivities. Most students gather in the houses and fields located on 5th St. and Ferris Ave. or in the Centennial homes.
The day begins around 6-8 a.m. with students joining their friends to get ready and walk over to the celebration. Students will wear festive outfits, glitter and makeup. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every year students celebrate by drinking, eating and playing games with their friends.
At last year's Derby Day students set up corn hole, music and cup pong – a common college-aged game.
Panther Prevention and Security on Derby Day:
Last year HPU’s Panther Prevention set up tables with snacks, water and information for students planning to attend a Derby Day party.
Students were excited and appreciative of the university’s efforts to continue the tradition while also keeping students hydrated and safe.
Like any big college party, there will be students who choose to drink. Some students will drink safely, while others may become overly intoxicated. However, in past years when a student found themselves too intoxicated campus police and security often stepped in to help the student and get the student the care they needed.
Although drinking does happen on Derby Day most students will plan ahead to stay hydrated and have a game plan for drinking responsibly. Students who don’t live near the party can use the shuttle service or Uber to get to and from their homes.
Reinstating Derby Day:
@BarstoolHPU has created a petition for the HPU community members to sign to bring back the beloved Derby Day tradition. Many students took to social media explaining that although it is fun to drink, it's not about the drinking, it's about the memories and friends you make on Derby Day.
“Great opportunity to catch up with those I haven’t seen over the summer,” said one anonymous student.
“The first outing with my new friends and roommates to help break the ice,” said another anonymous student.
“It was the day I met a lot of my friends freshman year, I’m still friends with them as a senior,” said another student.
Students also argued that Derby Day has the most school spirit than any other day during the year.
“This is our [version of a] football game, plus people have school spirit on Derby Day,” said a student.
Another student said, “It brings together the campus community as a whole and is a meaningful yearly tradition.”
Alumni even took to social media to fight for the tradition. Some say they look forward to visiting HPU every year on Derby Day.
An alumnus wrote, “Celebrating the start of a new school year! I graduated 16 years ago and it is still my favorite tradition.”
Another alumnus wrote, “Most memorable event from undergrad.”
Both students and alumni are frustrated with the cancellation of such a beloved tradition, many have signed the petition on change.org to bring back Derby Day.
Why did the university cancel Derby Day?
“HPU is a transformational place always seeking to provide new activities for students. The Office of Student Life will host Picnic in the Park in Hayworth Park featuring local food trucks, roasted corn, live music, a chance to sample all dining options on campus and other activities,” said Pam Haynes, Vice President of Communication at HPU. “The event will be the largest-ever welcome back celebration held for students on the first Saturday after classes begin and will also celebrate the kick-off to the university’s centennial anniversary, connect new students with our campus community and welcome back returning students. Many of the food trucks will also continue to be featured on campus throughout the year, making this event a great way for students to get to know these local business owners.”
Similar events have been held previously, and they have had their own success, but the joy and excitement that Derby Day brings is unmatched. Yet, the Office of Student Life wants to introduce Picnic in the Park to give students a change that they believe the campus would enjoy.
Haynes said, “Each year, the Office of Student Life considers new activities and events to offer. Students have appreciated outdoor events such as Earth Day and Winterfest in recent years, and Picnic in the Park will also provide students with similar ways to have fun on campus as a new year begins.”
Will Derby Day come back?
Pam Haynes did not confirm nor deny if Derby Day will be brought back or if parties hosted by students on August 24 will be allowed.
What will security look like on Derby Day?
Aside from the email that was posted on @BarstoolHPU, no other information has been released on police and security measures. The View Point reached out to the Chief of Campus Police and Security, Debra Duncan, for more information but never received a response from her.
What is ‘Picnic in the Park’?
HPU has yet to announce to the community about the new ‘Picnic in the Park’ event, however, the email posted on @BarstoolHPU from an HPU official states that it will be picnic-themed. There will be food trucks, areas where students can sample all of the dining options on campus, roasted corn and live music. The idea is for students to safely hang out and meet each other. However, in reality, this is a university, with young students who want to party on their first weekend in college.
Students feel that this new event will not live up to the traditional Derby Day celebration and the college day party that is highly anticipated every year.
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Although HPU has canceled its Derby Day, students are still planning to hold their own Derby Day events. Many are worried about the consequences of holding Derby Day parties off campus or inside instead of on the fields near 5th St. and Ferris Ave. Since students will be inside, it may be harder for students to receive medical attention if they become too intoxicated. It may also cause students to hydrate less since they won’t be in the sun.
Students feel that Derby Day will happen no matter what and it's up to the university to decide how they want to help students with this tradition. Students are encouraging Panther Prevention to continue their food and hydration tables, which significantly helped students last year who over-partied.
Students also feel that this new event will cost more than Derby Day. Many students want the university to invest in the Panther Prevention hydration stations instead of a university picnic.
If you would like to sign the petition to reinstate Derby Day please click here. To learn more about security and police at HPU click here. To learn more about Panther Prevention click here.