EMU spokesman: 'Icebreaker' parties have nothing to do with university
Eastern Michigan University issued a statement Thursday afternoon denouncing all off-campus “Icebreaker” events as organizers geared up for one such party at Spirits Restaurant and Lounge in Van Buren Township.
EMU spokesman Geoff Larcom said Thursday any off-campus party using the Eastern Michigan University name was not an official university event. He said the use of the EMU name was inappropriate and illegal.
“These are separate groups using our name to lure people,” he said. “We have nothing to do with these people.”
Justin Schaffer, one of the organizers of Thursday's party, said it’s all a misunderstanding.
He said his company, Thee Team, uses the #TEAMEMU part of the advertisement simply as a Twitter hashtag. Schaffer said the hashtag has been popularized by users on the social network to show their affinity for the university.
Schaffer said the T.R.U. references come from rapper 2 Chainz, who has released a mixtape and an album with the acronym.
“With my company and my promotion team, we are not using Eastern’s name,” he said. “All we’re saying is we’re team EMU. We just hashtagged it. I’m a grad student at Eastern, my promotions team are all students and that’s what we focus our promotions toward.”
He pointed out that the fliers for Thursday’s event do not say the word “official,” do not have the university’s logo and don’t state the full name of the university at all.
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Geoffrey Fox said deputies monitor all events at Spirits. The flier advertised the event as an 18 and up event. Twitter users alluded to alcohol being on the buses, which advertised to pick up students at the EMU Student Events Center.
Larcom said the buses will not be allowed to come onto university property to pick up students.
“We would tell the buses not to come,” he said. “In essence, it’s a solicitation of students. The organizers of those buses will be told not to send them to campus sites.”
Larcom said the event came to university officials’ attention when parents called to check to see if the party at the bar actually was affiliated with the university.
There have been previous “Icebreaker” events put on by outside groups using the EMU name at various clubs in Washtenaw County, including the Passport Lounge, Dream Nite Club and Studio 4.
A Twitter account set up with the name @EMUicebreaker uses the university’s logo and name throughout its page.
A second event through @OfficialTeamEmu is set up for Sept. 13 at the Clarion Hotel in Ann Arbor, Larcom said. He emphasized that event is also not sponsored by the university in any way. Schaffer said that was not a party put on by his company.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Sam
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
A party hosted by EMU students, attendees are EMU students then I suppose the party should be called MARS UNIVERSITY ICEBREAKER."GOOFUS",should keep his/her "classy"opinion to himself/herself.As far as I know Studio 4/Dream nightclub attracted the most diverse crowd from the U OF M. EMU,and various other scholls in the area.I guess the emphasis is on diverse,which "GOOFUS" has no appreciation to tolerate.Is'nt Mr.Larcom related to city of Ann Arbor attorney Kristen Larcom who was involved in the closure of Dream Nightclub?Bigotry never ceases to amaze me!
Goofus
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
They pick all the worst ghetto clubs for these events it seems...Studio 4? Passport? Dream and now some shack in the netherrealm of Van Buren Twp? Classy!
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
The border of Ypsilanti Township and Van Buren Township runs north and south along the Interstate 94 Service Drive and Rawsonville Road. Spirits is west of the Service Drive, making it ever so slightly in Ypsilanti Township and Washtenaw County. It may have a Belleville mailing address, but it is located within the county, albeit just along the border.
tdw
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
Oooops....sorry.My mistake.I guess I'm just paranoid because of way A2.com reports about Ypsi
A2James
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 11:39 a.m.
As long as Susan Martin doesn't have any more "icebreakers", EMU will be just fine.
tdw
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 11:24 a.m.
According to their web site and google earth, Spirits Restaurant and Lounge is in Belleville not Ypsilanti Township.In fact,that's not even in Washtenaw County.But hey, any time A2.com has a chance to put a negative spin on Ypsi they go for it
tdw
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
Even on their advertisement ( pic above ) it says Belleville.Oh well, like I said....
tdw
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 11:28 a.m.
Actually..That would be Van Buren Township
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 12:51 a.m.
EMU is just jealous that these guys are actually getting a Twitter following.
Mumbambu, Esq.
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
Yea, that's it... Maybe you could help them out with your success on twitter.
Rob Pollard
Thu, Sep 6, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.
This isn't a huge deal, but this guy is essentially lying when he says, "we are not using Eastern's name." If you use "EMU" in the context of a party for college students in Ypsilanti, you using one of EMU's names. It would be like him saying to me "I called you Rob. But I wasn't talking to you - you're full name is Robert." I mean they even say the "EMU Student Center" - is that supposed to be for Eastern Mennonite University Student Center? If they pull this nonsense again, EMU should go after them for trademark infringement. As noted by Michelle, it's great to have a party, but make it clear you're a private organization organizing a private event. EMU can't expose itself to legal liability. Side note: I just checked their Twitter page, and EMU kicked them out of meeting at the Student Center; they're meeting at Kampus Korner now, if you want to load up the party bus.
Angry Moderate
Thu, Sep 6, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
EMU's attorney has already been yelling at them on Twitter. Heh.
Angry Moderate
Thu, Sep 6, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.
Sounds like EMU's business school needs to teach students a little bit more about law and ethics...especially the party that calls itself "Official" and uses EMU's logo!
Michelle09
Thu, Sep 6, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
Pretty much all college towns in Michigan host an unofficial icebreaker party during the first week of classes. They're often times hosted at a neighboring club or bar, and the school's name is usually mentioned in promotions to specifically target the students that attend that college (versus the local area citizens). Most students usually know what events are sponsored by the school or not. I understand Eastern wanting to separate themselves from the event just in case any negative incidents occur but I hope that they know these types of parties have been going on for many many years. No big deal in my eyes, but its their school and name to do with as they wish.
YpsiVeteran
Thu, Sep 6, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.
"With my company and my promotion team, we are not using Eastern's name," he said. "All we're saying is we're team EMU. If this statement is reflective of the intellectual capabilities and qualifications of most "grad students" at EMU, we are all in serious trouble.
xmo
Thu, Sep 6, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
Party like your a MAC University CEO! Go EMU! Work on them social networking skills!