Groups of students crowded into La Maison du Bayou apartments in anticipation of the announcement of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) winning the 2008 presidential election. Minutes later shouts of victory could be heard across the Nicholls campus as students flowed into the courtyard of La Maison chanting “Obama” and excitedly talking, hugging and, for some, even crying. Strobe lights flashed as fire alarms sounded, adding to the celebration, and loud music could be heard coming from an apartment.
University Police Chief Craig Jaccuzzo said fire alarms were pulled four times throughout the night: once right after the election results were announced, twice at about 9 p.m. and once at about 1 a.m. During the celebration, two call boxes were also activated notifying all on-duty University Police officers.
Although the celebrating went on for what one student estimated to be 25-30 minutes before University Police arrived, it eventually dispersed. One man was taken to the police station and charged with a misdemeanor after driving his SUV onto the courtyard into the crowd of people and shouting “Obama” while holding a campaign sign, according to University Police.
The man, who is not a Nicholls student, was not jailed, but has been banned from campus at least until his court date, Jaccuzzo said.
“There are proper ways to celebrate without causing a disturbance,” Jaccuzzo said. “Everything else we could handle, but when he came driving through like that, it was dangerous.”
Though some students said they were upset by the officers’ actions, Jaccuzzo said it is important to put the safety of the majority before the celebration of a few. He also said he received complaints from students who were trying to sleep and were awakened by the alarms and loud music.
Jaccuzzo said the officers did not make students go inside, but tried to take control of the situation.
“This could have escalated into a dangerous situation,” Jaccuzzo said. “When you activate emergency devices, our reaction will be heightened.”
Eric-Christian Thompson, English sophomore from Jefferson, was watching the election results at La Maison with other members of the campus chapter of the Young Democrats. He said the police “had a right to be nervous” with such a big crowd.
Most students’ excitement seemed not to be interrupted by the incident, and Obama supporters spoke in animated tones about the triumph.
“America needed a change, and we’re going to get one,” Lindsey Fernandez, marketing senior from Belle Rose, said.
Peter Jenkins, culinary arts sophomore from Alexandria, said he thinks this is “the best thing that ever happened.”
Freshman Brandi Williams from Marrero shared in the crowd’s delight.
“I feel elated,” she said. “My roommate was crying, and I was like ‘O.K. that’s a little much.'”
Not all in attendance were delighted about the results, however. Christine Bourgeois, government senior from Westwego, said she is not happy with the results and does not like Obama.
“He’s gonna take troops out of Iraq, and gas prices are gonna skyrocket because that’s where the oil is,” she said.
Ugochukwu Ezema, biology senior from Kingston, Jamaica, and a member of the Young Democrats, said although he could not vote, he helped persuade others to do so.
“I was part of this. America got it right for the first time,” Ezema said. “To be in America at such a monumental time is quite an experience. This is beautiful. We needed this man.”
Renee Bergeron and Jennifer Nunez contributed to this article.
Students gather outside La Maison du Bayou apartments to discuss the outcome of the 2008 presidential election. (Ashley Falterman)
