The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

Got a tip? Have something you need to tell us? Contact us

Loading Recent Classifieds...

Safety concerns change routine at Matador Nights

New safety measures are in place for Matador Nights Halloween on Friday in response to safety concerns from the previous Matador Nights event in September. Attendance is now limited to CSUN students only and a new security contractor is in place for the evening.

‘We needed more security,’ student chair of Matador Nights Samantha Liu said.

Other security measures include not having a ticket booth the night of the event and making tickets available only before the start of the event. Fencing will also surround the USU, the location of Friday’s event.

USU representatives said that they expect Friday’s event to have a turnout equal the last Matador Nights, where it reached the maximum capacity of 3,500 people.

Shannon Krajewski, associate director for USU Marketing and Programs department, said that one of the problems that arose from September’s Matador Nights ‘Bringing back the 80s’ was the unexpected turnout.

‘ ‘We didn’t have enough structure, people bunched up, people didn’t know where the line was,’ said Krajewski. ‘There was line cutting and it narrowed.’

The goal this time around is to make the line safer and more student-friendly, something like a theme park, said Krajewski.

The line will begin at Bertrand Avenue, turn onto Matador Walkway and lead to the front entrance at the steps between the Associated Students office and the Grand Salon.

Security officers and CSUN Public Safety officers will be managing the lines, screening people at the front entrance and remain inside the event, which will go from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Students will not be allowed to park in the G4 parking lot unless they show their CSUN ID card.

The officers will be there to ‘make sure people are coming in through the proper channels,’ Krajewski said.

AlliedBarton Security Services replaced the old security contractors Coastal Event Services because, according to Krajewski, it ‘wasn’t working for us.’

‘The new service will be more professional,’ said Krajewski.

Krajewski also said that CSUN Public Safety officers would patrol neighborhoods around CSUN.

The decision to make Friday’s event available exclusively to CSUN students was made when a USU survey found roughly 75% to 85% of Matador Nights attendees were CSUN students. Attendees from past Matador Nights, including the one’s in February, April and September, were surveyed.

Previous Matador nights allowed attendees to invite one guest, but they needed to be a college student and show their college ID card.

Another issue was people attending who weren’t CSUN students or guests.

Fencing was never delivered because of a miscommunication with the contractor, Krajewski said. So, there were no physical barriers to prevent anyone from walking in off the street.

Krajewski added that the contractor has worked on campus before and ‘it was just a glitch.’

Tickets for the event can be picked up at the A.S. ticket booth and the Satellite Student Union.

Liu said that the CSUN dance team plans to perform their rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ in front of the Matador Bookstore Thursday.

THINGS TO KNOW
‘bull; Event for CSUN students only, no visitors allowed
‘bull; Need to have a ticket and CSUN ID at the door
‘bull; No weapons, fake or real, of any kind
‘bull; Masks must be able to come off

More to Discover