Revelry continues at UConn

Storrs (WTNH) - It's already been a busy weekend at the University of Connecticut as the annual party before final exams swings into high gear.

Spring Weekend is a chance for students to relax before the cloud of finals descend upon the Storrs campus.

"Two weeks from now, everyone is going to be sitting in a classroom for a final. This is the last of it, everyone is going to have a really good time," said Owen Emerson, a graduate student at UConn.

As the UConn Spring Weekend legend has grown over the past decade, so has the police presence. It is obvious in the statistics. Nineteen people arrested Thursday night - another seven arrested by the time the sun had set. But most students like seeing the badge even as they not-so-discreetly hide the beer.

"They do need the police. Police seem like they are pretty cool, as long as you're not being obtrusive or really messing with people, they are perfectly nice to you," said Emerson.

"Over the years we have been educating the kids why we are here. We're not here to prohibit them from having a good time, we're here for them to understand there is a consequence to their actions," said Sgt. Chris Johnson, CT State Police.

Of course, that lesson is often learned from those who don't even go to school here. Storrs becomes a tourist spot for students who hail from a different institution.

"I actually thought it would be crazier than it is. I really did, but I'm assuming tonight will be more crowded than it is now," said Maura McHale, a student at Eastern CT State University.

UConn police say they made 30 arrests on the second night Spring Weekend, most of which were made in the Celeron Square apartment complex, where police estimated the crowd at 10,000 people.

23 of the 30 people arrested last night had no affiliation with UConn.