Pool party down the drain — again

The office of student life has canceled a pool party scheduled for Wednesday through May 4 in the mall because of concerns about safety and liability.

The idea for the pool party came from the Student Government Association, which expected it to be a three-day event for students to enjoy on campus before the end of the semester.

News of the event appeared Monday on the SGA Facebook page and was announced Tuesday during SGA’s regular segment on “The Sauce,” KSYM’s morning show.

Jacob Wong, SGA president and psychology sophomore, announced at the April 10 College Council meeting that the organization was planning a surprise event for students.

College President Robert Zeigler said Tuesday that he and Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student services, did not know about the pool party.

Zeigler learned of it Tuesday through emails from district officials about the safety hazards and liability.

Wong said the administration should trust the students to take care of themselves.

“I don’t like it,” Wong said.

Andrea “Bia” Bonilla, criminal justice sophomore and vice president of SGA, said the cancellation of the event “sucks.”

Carrie Hernandez, student activities specialist in student life, confirmed that the party was canceled because of safety concerns.

“Safety comes first,” she said.

She said safety hazards would have had to be worked out for the event, such as hiring lifeguards, putting a fence around the pool to prevent people from swimming without supervision, finding a place to store students’ personal belongings, setting up the pool, finding a way to supply water and hiring overnight security.

“It wasn’t because of the budget,” Hernandez said. “It was too much work.”

Student life purchased a swimming pool 4 feet to 5 feet deep and 16 feet by 24 feet wide five years ago for a similar event that was canceled for the same reason. The pool has never been used.

SGA plans to replace the event with a water balloon fight and possibly two water slides from Parties, Picnics and Promotions 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday in the mall.

Wong sent an email to Hernandez to ask for the approval of President Robert Zeigler to have the two water slides on May 2.

Zeigler said he is concerned about the water slides wasting water, especially as the city has returned to Stage 1 drought restrictions.

Zeigler has not approved the water slides because he is waiting for Wong to answer questions about how much water will be used and if it will be recycled.

Selrico, which operates the cafeteria in Loftin, will provide refreshments and hot dogs for students Wednesday.

For more information, call the office of student life at 210-486-0125.