Spring Break and student safety

The UW–Madison Spring Break runs from March 11-19.

Regardless of whether students are traveling to a beach destination, staying in town, or heading home, university officials are encouraging members of the university community to exercise common sense and keep safety in mind.

To help students prepare, The Offices of the Dean of Students is conducting a “Be Smart, Be Safe” campaign, with materials and information, including sunscreen and first aid kits, at Union South from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 8 and 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9.

In addition, safety, alcohol and sexual assault prevention experts are available over the few days to talk about ways students can safely enjoy the week off:

Susan Crowley, PACE Project director, can be reached at (608) 262-9007 or sjcrowley@wisc.edu
Carmen Hotvedt, violence prevention specialist at University Health Services can be reached at (608) 265-5966 or hotvedt@wisc.edu
Elton Crim, interim associate dean of students can be reached at (608) 262-9704 or ecrim@bascom.wisc.edu.

Here are additional spring break tips for students planning to travel:

Don’t horseplay or climb on balconies. Never sit on railings and always keep both feet on the floor at all times. Falls from balconies, even those on lower floors, can cause serious injury.
If you plan on drinking as part of your spring break experience, know the alcohol laws at your destination. Ask your travel agent for information on age of consumption and local laws regarding alcohol use. Some areas will ticket for open intoxicants, while others may have stiff penalties for public inebriation.
Plan ahead on how much you plan to drink. Talk with a friend about when the friend should intervene and make a plan for how you will return to your hotel. Stay with someone who knows you when you are drinking; don’t wander off alone. Make sure that someone in your group is not drinking or is drinking responsibly so that they can get everyone home.
Don’t assume that someone you’ve just met will look out for your best interests. Keep in mind that more people are sexually assaulted by acquaintances than by strangers.
Only accept drinks from a licensed bartender or drinks that you pour yourself. You put yourself at risk for receiving an altered beverage if you don’t know the source of the drink.
If a friend feels sick, don’t leave them alone. If you feel sick, ask someone to look out for you.
If a member of your group passes out, turn them on their side to prevent choking and call 911 immediately.
Don’t carry all of your credit or bank cards in your wallet or purse. Carry the minimum amount of cash that you will need, including a little backup. Traveler’s checks are your best bet when on vacation. If you have extra cash, leave it in your hotel room, hidden from sight.
Make sure your friends and relatives know where you will be vacationing, when you will depart, and when you expect to return. Call friends or family members to let then know that you have arrived and returned safely.
If you are robbed, don’t resist – give up any money, jewelry, or other valuables. You can always replace material things. Call 911 as soon as you can.
Before or after break, students who are interested in talking to a counselor or getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases should call University Health Services at (608) 265-5600.
An on-call dean is always available for a confidential appointment in the Student Advocacy and Judicial Affairs unit of the Dean of Students Office. Call for an appointment at (608) 263-5700.

UHS is offering information geared toward students who are staying in the area or going home for spring break at its Web site.