Edward Waters University tightens Alumni Weekend rules after officials cite violent incidents and alcohol policy violations, sparking reaction from alumni.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Edward Waters University is making changes to its Alumni Weekend after school leaders say serious incidents occurred on campus, including violent altercations and alcohol violations.
In a public statement, the university said it is implementing immediate changes following a review of Alumni Weekend activities earlier this month. Officials said the decision was not made lightly but reflects the seriousness of what occurred.
According to the university, the long-standing informal gathering did not meet institutional expectations this year. Leaders said multiple violent altercations involving alumni and current students took place, along with alcohol on campus, which violates both university policy and local law.
According to EWU, unsanctioned spring alumni gatherings are no longer permitted. Any large group events must now be formally approved and meet requirements for space, staffing and security before being held on campus. University officials said the goal is to ensure safety and maintain control over large-scale events, while still allowing alumni to return in a more structured way.
“Alumni Weekend is history,” said San Cooley, a 2014 graduate of Edward Waters University.
Cooley said the tradition remains important to many alumni and is rooted in the school’s culture.
“I just really want everybody to just get on one page because we’re supposed to be a family, man. We’re the first HBCU in the state of Florida. We gotta stay together, unity,” Cooley said.
She said while she understands the need for safety, she believes the university’s message could have been clearer.
“I don’t feel like the statement that the school put out was very clear as to what it is that was actually happening. Like, not that y’all can’t have alumni weekend, it just needs to be structured,” she said.
Another alumnus, Donn Perkins, Class of 2013, said he was disappointed with both the changes and this year’s experience.
“I was disappointed to say the least, because homecoming and alumni weekend are such major times for the university’s culture,” Perkins said. “It wasn’t the same experience. The atmosphere wasn’t the same. It wasn’t the same feeling of love in the air.”
Perkins said Alumni Weekend has traditionally been about connection and community, describing gatherings on campus as a long-standing custom.
“We sit on the yard and we barbecue, we talk, we hang out, we have a good time. Like people do on college campuses,” he said.
Cooley said moving forward, unity should remain the focus as the university and alumni community adjust to the changes.
“We gotta stick together because we’re not setting a good example for the students that are coming behind us. We’re not making people wanna come back. We’re not making people want to pour back into you’re actually pulling people away from it. So just unity, man. Stay together, figure out how we can band together and really do this because we are all tigers,” she said.
The university said alumni are encouraged to return to campus for fellowship, fun and engagement during fall homecoming and other university-sponsored events.