The Gatepost Editorial: Don’t let things get to spooky this Halloweekend

By The Gatepost Editorial Board

As October begins to wind down, next weekend marks the beginning of “Halloweekend” festivities for college students across the country. 

Halloweekend is an opportunity for students to get creative with their costumes and go out with friends while taking a much-deserved break from academics. Part of these celebrations may include using alcohol or marijuana. 

Halloween, like Marathon Monday or the so-called Blackout Wednesday before Thanksgiving, is an opportunity for college students to catch up with friends and decompress from the stressors of school or work. While these celebrations are highly anticipated and often enjoyable, safety and awareness are still important.

There are a few ways you can keep yourself and your friends safe this Halloween.

Parties are going to be held both on and off campus. If you choose to attend a gathering on campus, Residence Life staff and the Framingham State Police Department (FSUPD) are always in the residence halls and on campus to ensure responsibility and safety. 

If you are over 21 years old, drinking socially off campus is completely acceptable. However, Framingham State is a dry campus for everybody - regardless of age.

Be aware of the guidelines laid out in the FSU RAM Student Handbook about alcohol and drugs on campus.

Even with these rules in place, there are still instances of drinking and drug use on campus. If you are in a situation on campus at which alcohol or drugs are present, use your judgement and common sense. If you choose to partake, know your limits. 

In the case of an emergency, resident assistants are on call to assist in the residence halls to ensure any unsafe or disruptive situations are managed effectively for the wellbeing of resident students and their guests. 

Resident assistants have a job to do. Do not be afraid to call them if you or one of your friends is in an unsafe or unhealthy situation. 

According to the FSU RAM Student Handbook, if a student calls an appropriate staff member seeking medical attention for themselves or for another person, neither the reporting student nor the student for whom the medical attention was required will be subject to a Student Conduct complaint. 

If a resident assistant is called to break up a party you are attending, consider they are trying to help instead of expressing frustration toward them. 

If you choose to attend a party either on or off campus, identify where you are going, what you are doing, and use common sense. Always inform someone close to you where you are going and what your plans for the evening are. 

Do not accept drinks from someone if you do not know what is in them and keep your drink in your hand and watch it at all times to avoid tampering. 

If you are over 21 and choose to go to a club or bar, there has been an increase in roofie incidents in Boston clubs and bars over the past few years, according to NBC Boston. 

Stick together with your friends and be vigilant about keeping your drinks with you. 

On or off campus, use the buddy system and make sure you aren’t alone if you are walking or taking an Uber to another location. Consider sharing your location with a friend or letting a family member or roommate know where you are going to be so they can check in on you. 

If you are planning on using drugs or alcohol, do not drive impaired or get in a vehicle with a driver who has been using drugs or drinking.

In addition to keeping yourself and your friends safe regarding drugs and alcohol, remember: a costume does not equal consent. 

It is never acceptable to make inappropriate jokes, cat call anyone, or touch anyone without their consent simply because they are wearing a revealing costume or outfit. 

If you are on campus and an incident regarding a breach of consent occurs, remove yourself and your friends from the situation as soon as possible and be sure to alert a resident assistant or FSUPD.

Off campus, remove yourself and your friends from any situation you feel uncomfortable in and call the police if the situation escalates. 

No party is worth the risk of harm to you or your friends. 

This Halloweekend is sure to be spooky, but let’s make sure it’s safe.