‘Should not have happened’: uOttawa student association vows to work with community for future Panda Games

Six days following the post-Panda Game near-riot in Sandy Hill, the University of Ottawa Students’ Union released a statement saying it would work with the community and municipal leaders to find solutions for future events.

In a statement posted to the union’s website Friday, the union said it regrets the damage caused to residents of Russell Avenue and the Sandy Hill community by university students.

“We understand that many students wanted to blow off some steam. We get it. It has been a brutal 18 months,” the statement reads. “But most students were able to enjoy their weekend safely, responsibly, and while being good neighbours. It is possible to do this without causing damage to others. We regret that too many did not make that choice and strongly condemn their behaviour.”

The union added, “This should not have happened, and we are sorry that it did – this isn’t who we are.”

Any speculation about the future of the Panda Game is premature at this point, according to the students' union.

“Saturday night had very little to do with football. But people who think they can damage property and injure others, without consequences for themselves or for the entire uOttawa community, are wrong.”

The union ended its statement by saying the UOSU executive is committed to working with the community and municipal figures and the university to find solutions for pre- and post-Panda Game activities that will be fun, safe and without major disruption to the Sandy Hill community.

“Many of these solutions already exist and have worked in the past. We also look forward to engaging with these partners on the other crises faced by students, including transit and affordable housing.”

To read the statement in its entirety, visit the UOSU website.