Students lined up outside of Coleman Hall Wednesday afternoon to be handed cups of root beer floats by officers from the University Police Department.

The University Board has put together a social called “Cooling it with the Cops,” which gave students the opportunity to drink root beer floats and socialize with UPD officers.

The first 100 people in line received a mood cup, which changes color when liquid is inside of it.

Officer Andrea Beals; Detective Alex Oakley; Chanel Belton, a senior history major; and Stacy Smith, parking services division for the UPD, served the root beer floats to the students.

This is the first time the UPD has collaborated with organizations on campus.

Chief of Police Kent Martin said the social was an opportunity for the UPD to touch base with the students, faculty, staff and visitors.

“We’re just wanting to get out of the office, get out of the police station and out here in the field where we can interact with the people that we serve,” Martin said.

Martin said partnering with the UB was a way to help out and their goal was to meet as many people as they could and to see a different side of UPD.

“We’re not doing anything job related or anything work related,” Martin said. “We’re just out here and being each other’s (company,)” Martin said.

Police officers go home to families and friends when the job is done for the day like everyone else, Martin said.

“I happen to pin a badge on my shirt and put all this stuff around my waist when I go to work in the morning,” Martin said. “We’re not any different than the professors that walk into a classroom and teachers.”

Martin said he hopes the UPD can collaborate with other organizations on campus.

“If we’re all on the same page and we’re all working towards the same goal, it’s a lot easier to accomplish,” Martin said.

Brock Stafford, a graduate student majoring in historical administration, said he was excited for the event as he was handed a root beer float.

Stafford came with his classmates since his professor gave the class a break to come to the social.

“I think it’s really just a great social event for people to get together,” Stafford said.

Stafford said “Cooling it with the Cops” is a good way to bring awareness about the police being active on campus.

“I just think in the middle of having afternoon classes, this is really kind of a nice break for everybody to be able to step out and do something a little bit different,” Stafford said.

Mia Orozco, a freshman athletic training major, said “Cooling it with the Cops” would bring awareness by letting people know that we have UPD to help out with the community.

“If we need anything, they’re here on call 24/7, and it just makes me more safe on campus,” Orozco said.

Orozco said when she saw other students with root beer floats it attracted her to the social.

“I haven’t had a root beer float in a long time,” Orozco said. “This brings me back home.”

Alyssa Vergara, a freshman sociology major, said she was looking forward to the event because it brings unity.

Eddie Estrada, a sophomore applied engineering and technology major, said he was wandering around Thomas Hall until he stumbled upon the event.

“I honestly don’t like root beer floats, but it was free so I had to try it,” Estrada said. “It’s a great opportunity for everybody.”

Janet Pernell can be reached at 581-2812 or jopernell@eiu.edu.