Every year, as the Halloween weekend approaches, resident assistants, security aides and Ohio University police get on high alert to assure student safety. This year is no exception.
Camille Robinson, a resident assistant in Brough House, said students must be well aware of the alcohol policies implemented this quarter. If caught in underage drinking
consequences are stricter than last year she said.
First-time minor offenses of alcohol-related laws will be referred for formal university judicial action from this academic year, according to Outlook. Students now also have more chances to be placed on probation for alcohol-related offenses.
Of the 205 cases cited for the OU judiciary during the last year's Halloween weekend, 164 cases were alcohol-related offenses, according to the University Judiciaries. Of those 164 cases, 112 of them resulted in probation and three of them in suspension.
Also, 83 percent of those alcohol-related offenses occurred in residence halls, and 75 percent of the offenders were first year students and returning students with less than 45 credit hours.
Other than the new alcohol policy, Judy Piercy, director of Residence Life, said there is no difference in security policies for Halloween this year.
Nic Everett, an RA in Bush Hall, will work 17 hours during the Halloween weekend. According to Everett, RAs in Bush Hall will work on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., with two hours off each night.
In Bush Hall, 15 RAs will cover five shifts, two hours per shift, to check IDs of the residents and their guests in the front door area of the dorm and conduct rounds throughout the buildings, two to four buildings in their case.
Despite the long duty hours, Everett, who worked as an RA during the last year's Halloween weekend, said that it was not hard to stay alert enough to carry out his duty.
You are always with another person. You are able to make conversation (and) stay awake better. Plus you have caffeine coffee
Everett said. I think we can pay close attention to safety.
In Bromley Hall, which is located about a block from Court Street, the entrance will be locked from Friday 7:00 p.m. until Monday morning, and the residents have to swipe their IDs for access, Piercy said.
The duty hours of the security aides on the Halloween weekend will be the same as those on normal weekends, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Thursday through Saturday, said Mike Hess, interim assistant director for Residential Education.
However, during the Halloween weekend, all of the 20 registered SAs will be on duty, about six to seven SAs per green. On normal weekends, about 14 SAs are on duty. They will monitor activities both inside and outside the dorms.
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Keita Mochizuki
