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KNTV-TV
updated 1:07 p.m. PT, Sat., April. 19, 2008
The University of California ? Santa Cruz campus is in lockdown Friday night, but it's not in the traditional sense of the word. The university is anticipating thousands of students Sunday, gathering to mark the so-called 4/20 cannabis culture holiday.
Four twenty is named for the day, which is Sunday's date, or the time of the day well known among regular marijuana users for smoking pot.
It was once a student-only gathering to smoke marijuana in UCSC's Porter Meadow, but in recent years the crowds have become unmanageable.
UCSC has sent thousands of e-mails to students reminding them that it does not condone the 4/20 gathering.
Students on campus were not happy about the restrictions being imposed on them.
"I think it's pretty ridiculous," said student Michelle Garza. "They have us on lockdown. They're saying we can't have anyone in our rooms the entire weekend and I don't think that's right at all."
Metro buses will not make stops on campus this weekend, although the university is working on providing shuttle services for the weekend.
"To get people to stay on campus doesn't make much sense," said student Matteo Crismari. "I'd like to go to the beach and get off campus. I think a majority will be smoking it anyway."
University officials said they do not plan on beefing up the police presence on campus.
Keeping students from participating has proven difficult in the past due to the crowd's size, so UCSC has focused on restricting outsiders through special security and traffic measures.
Weekend Security Measures
The west entrance to the campus will be closed to incoming traffic.
Vehicles entering the main gate will require a university parking permit or proof of legitimate reason for being on campus.
Students who live on campus will not be permitted to have overnight guests Friday or Saturday night.
The e-mail sent out to students warned that using marijuana could land them a police citation and a campus judicial write-up. The e-mail sent out to students warned that using marijuana could land them a police citation and a campus judicial write-up.
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