Administrators want Ohio University students to enjoy this weekend’s annual Uptown Halloween block party but remember to keep themselves under control.
The party has been noted as one of the biggest Halloween parties in the country, and administrators said the celebration has caused stirs in the past.
“The message is the same, whether it’s springtime or the fall; we all have a reasonability to stay safe,” said Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis.
Things have calmed in the past few years, and the school has increased efforts to keep students safe throughout the weekend, Watts said.
A group of 93 OU faculty, staff and administrators volunteered to take part in the “green jacket patrol.”
They will be responsible for monitoring student safety and ensuring the care of the campus grounds, said Christine Sheets, executive director of Residential Housing.
Both McDavis and Watts will be on hand to assist in the patrol.
“A lot of what the green jacket patrol provides is assistance to students and visitors,” Watts said. “We try to be the eyes and ears of the campus and provide support.”
Students who are walking alone, have red eyes or are stumbling have an increased chance of being stopped by the police, Athens Chief of Police Tom Pyle said.
“We see someone walking alone as a bigger danger than those in groups,” Pyle said. “We are usually a bit more lenient on people in groups, because they have others with them to watch and take care of them.”
Students need to stick with people they trust monitor how much alcohol they consume, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said.
“When you have that many people with a lot of alcohol, something can always happen, but I certainly hope that is avoided,” Lombardi said.
For the fourth year in a row, there will be a $25 guest fee to stay in any resident hall.
Last year, 1,792 guests stayed in residence halls and raised $44,800, Sheets said.
“That money focuses on activities for the safety of students,” Sheets said.
Resident staff members will be outside the main door of the building to permit students and guests to enter. Residents, guests and staff members will each have their own color wristband.
Students who live off-campus will be permitted to enter residence halls as long as they are listed on the enrolled roster.
“The first priority is the safety of our students … this is just taking it up one more level,” Sheets said. “We have a responsibility to take care of our students.”
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