Ohio U’s Student Senate hears from OUPD and Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility on HallOUween expectations

Ohio University’s Student Senate heard from the Ohio U Police Department (OUPD) and the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility (CSSR) on student expectations and general rules for Halloween weekend.

Assistant Dean of Students and CSSR Director Taylor J. Tackett and CSSR Assistant Director Bakari Lumumba reminded senators on the requirements for students living in residence halls. Like in past years, students are expected to wear wristbands to enter a dorm, even if the dorm is not their own. Any student found without a wristband will be required to provide their PID to dorm staff to receive one or if they do not live in that dorm, they will have to obtain their own wristband before they are admitted. Ohio U students are allowed to visit other residence halls as long as they have a wristband, but outside guests are not permitted.

“Res Life (Ohio U Housing and Residence Life) will be doing rounds throughout the night, so they will be keeping an eye out to make sure that everyone is squared away,” Lumumba said. “If you want to have a friend over, they’ll have to have a wristband and they need to identify themselves as an Ohio University student.”

Tackett and Lumumba also discouraged underage students from using false identification to purchase alcohol, as it is a first-degree misdemeanor in the State of Ohio. Consuming or selling alcoholic beverages in an unlawful way and engaging in misconduct under the influence of alcohol are all violations of Ohio U’s Student Code of Conduct. Not only can the police charge someone for violating state laws, but the university can take disciplinary action.

“If you find yourself cooperating or talking with the police department, they will actually look at what you’re having and they will be pulling things out of your wallet and they might identify that you have a fake ID on you,” Tackett said. “So, it’s not just the use, but it’s also the possession of the fake ID that sometimes will solicit a conversation.”

Tackett encouraged students who choose to attend off-campus house parties to be careful not to step off of the property while holding alcoholic beverages and to avoid urinating in public. Both cases can also lead to an arrest by the Athens Police Department or OUPD.

“Try not to draw attention to yourself,” OUPD Chief of Police Andrew D. Powers said. “For example, if you are underage drinking, don’t go around kicking over trash cans and things which brings a lot of attention.”

Powers also advised those students who are hosting parties off-campus to be conscious of the nuisance party ordinance and the violations associated with it including public urination, underage consumption, disorderly conduct and open containers.

“It can result in the party being shut down right there on the spot,” Powers said.

No matter how alluring the police horses may be, Powers advised students to make sure that they ask the officer mounting them if they can pet them before doing so. Otherwise, this is considered assaulting a police officer and can lead to an arrest.

Tackett informed Senate of Ohio U’s Medical Emergency Assistance Program (MEAP), which provides students with aid if they or their friends are intoxicated or if they are worried for their physical or personal safety. The MEAP will not record whether they were intoxicated as an exemption for medical safety reasons.

“We want to make sure that you get the help and support that you need and that this isn’t something that carries with you over time,” Tackett said.

For those students who plan on partying this weekend, it is imperative that they make a safety plan together ahead of time. Be aware of where you and your friends will be, how to reach them in times of emergency and avoid drinking from communal sources, like “jungle juice.”

“Make sure that you have a sealed can or that it is something that you can keep covered or sealed while you’re consuming it,” Tackett said.

At the end of the day, the CSSR and OUPD just want to ensure that students remain safe and make smart choices while they partake in Halloween festivities.

“The goal is not to stop people from having fun this weekend, the goal is to encourage people to do so safely,” Powers said. “It’s important to think about consent this weekend and, as Taylor mentioned, being a good bystander and Bobcat student.”

Powers noted that the Athens Halloween block party will return this weekend, after COVID put a pause on it the last two years. Compared to years past, it will be a more family-friendly event with lots of activities throughout the day for Athens’ residents. 

The block party will be split in two, with family activities occurring between the hours of 1-5 p.m. and adult activities between 6-10 p.m., according to the Athens Halloween website. Live music will end at 10pm, earlier than it has in the past.

In other Senate news, Jaydan Jackson and Aurora Parker were appointed as associate judges of the Judicial Panel. Senate also passed a resolution that allocated Senate funds to a pumpkin painting event. Students who are registered to vote will be able to paint and take home a pumpkin. Additionally, there will be a Halloween climbing competition at Ping Recreation Center at 6 p.m. on Monday.