Spring Break
Off-campus students prepare for parties
Emily Abbate
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News
Spring Weekend is here. On any other weekend, the few hundred visitors to the off-campus apartments come and go without too many serious altercations. However, the UConn holiday weekend generally lures nearly 30,000 partygoers, according to the Hartford Courant. If you're a student living at one of the off-campus locations, then this can be a little bit overwhelming and pretty nerve-wracking.
"You always hear the advice 'travel with your friends and lock your doors'," said Tim Chan, an 8th-semester engineering major. "But I'm not usually thinking about my safety first on Spring Weekend."
"There is no way to guarantee anyone's safety during this weekend or any other time," said Jim Hintz, director of Off-Campus Student Services. "However, students can take some precautions to reduce their risk and the police and emergency service personnel will do their best to address risks to safety."
Many off-campus residents at Carriage House and Celeron Square Apartments take the first precaution when Spring Weekend hits by moving their cars to an on-campus location.
"It's a no-brainer," said Kendra Richardson, a 6th-semester journalism and political science double major. "I live in Celeron and I'm definitely moving my car for both Thursday and Friday night. I have friends whose cars have been keyed over Spring Weekend. I would never trust my car around thousands of drunk college students."
Hintz agreed with Richardson's actions.
"Although a vehicle could be damaged anywhere," Hintz said, "It would be less likely to be damaged if it is not parked in or near X-Lot, Celeron and Carriage House Apartments."
Hintz offered many additional suggestions for off-campus residents, including wearing proper footwear from place to place and making sure to know all the guests that are coming in and out of your house or apartment.
"Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and get help if someone exhibits any of signs or symptoms," Hintz also suggested. "Don't ride with or let a friend drive who has been drinking, stay with your friends and watch out for each other, seek help from police and emergency personnel for problems and follow the directions of police and emergency personnel."
"You always hear the advice 'travel with your friends and lock your doors'," said Tim Chan, an 8th-semester engineering major. "But I'm not usually thinking about my safety first on Spring Weekend."
"There is no way to guarantee anyone's safety during this weekend or any other time," said Jim Hintz, director of Off-Campus Student Services. "However, students can take some precautions to reduce their risk and the police and emergency service personnel will do their best to address risks to safety."
Many off-campus residents at Carriage House and Celeron Square Apartments take the first precaution when Spring Weekend hits by moving their cars to an on-campus location.
"It's a no-brainer," said Kendra Richardson, a 6th-semester journalism and political science double major. "I live in Celeron and I'm definitely moving my car for both Thursday and Friday night. I have friends whose cars have been keyed over Spring Weekend. I would never trust my car around thousands of drunk college students."
Hintz agreed with Richardson's actions.
"Although a vehicle could be damaged anywhere," Hintz said, "It would be less likely to be damaged if it is not parked in or near X-Lot, Celeron and Carriage House Apartments."
Hintz offered many additional suggestions for off-campus residents, including wearing proper footwear from place to place and making sure to know all the guests that are coming in and out of your house or apartment.
"Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and get help if someone exhibits any of signs or symptoms," Hintz also suggested. "Don't ride with or let a friend drive who has been drinking, stay with your friends and watch out for each other, seek help from police and emergency personnel for problems and follow the directions of police and emergency personnel."
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