Communications
Date: Oct 25, 2010
To: All U.Va. Students
From: Patricia M. Lampkin, U.Va. Student Affairs
Re: Halloween safety
Things to remember when celebrating Halloween this week:
- If you go to a party, go with a group of friends you know and trust and leave the party together.
- Never leave a friend alone, especially if impaired, and do not hesitate to call 911 if medical attention is needed. Students will not face reprisal for seeking help.
- Always carry a photo ID and a cell phone and make sure your friends do the same in case you become incapacitated for any reason.
- Consider your costume, and avoid wearing one that inhibits your ability to see and move freely. Be sure motorists see you before you cross any street.
- Some people who want to cause harm may take advantage of being unrecognizable in a Halloween costume. Stay in an environment where you can easily get help or move away from someone who is threatening your safety. Be aware of your surroundings.
- If you accept a beverage from someone, make sure that you know the individual, you have observed the drink being prepared, and you never leave it unattended. Exercise caution in any public setting with any beverage.
- If you are intoxicated, your impaired judgment places you at a much greater risk for injury, unwanted sexual contact, or a police citation. Set a drink limit for yourself and stick to it. (Or plan not to drink alcohol at all.)
- Make a plan to get home safely. Rely on a sober driver or use another safe option, including:
- Late-night buses. Hours of UTS buses are extended after midnight (until 2:30 a.m.) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. (The extension of service on Thursday evening into Friday morning is a new pilot program and will begin Oct. 28.) Other days of the week, the buses run until 12:30 a.m. Learn more at http://www.virginia.edu/parking/service/latenight.html.
- Yellow Cab. Through an agreement with the University, Yellow Cab will give you a ride, even if you do not have money. Just show your U.Va. ID and have the ride charged to your U.Va. student account – no questions asked. Add this number to your cell phone: 434-295-4131.
- Safe Ride. This van system, run by University Police, runs when the buses are not in service. Safe Ride is available Thursday through Saturday (or technically speaking, Friday morning through Sunday morning) from 2:30 to 7 a.m. From Sunday through Wednesday, the hours are midnight to 7 a.m. Add the number to your cell phone: 434-242-1122.
- Always comply with requests from the police and safety officials.
- If you see suspicious persons or activity, notify the police by calling 911. The police do not consider this “bothering” them, even if nothing turns out to be wrong.
View Halloween safety posters created by the student group ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team):
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Dear Students:
Halloween marks a time when your safety is of special concern to me and many others. Occurring this year on a weekend, along with a home football game, may mean more celebrating than usual. This can be a stressful time, too, with midterms and anticipating the end of the semester and upcoming holidays. The weather is changing, and darkness comes sooner in the evening.
All these factors, either individually or in combination, may pose situations where you or your friends take risks that you normally would not take. I encourage you to be smart, to think about your personal safety, and to make safety a part of your routine, whether it’s Halloween weekend or just an ordinary day.
Please do enjoy the weekend, and best wishes for a safe and happy week to follow.
Patricia M. Lampkin
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer |
