As Halloween approaches, students are preparing for a week filled with spooky and fun festivities, both on and off campus. For resident assistants, the holiday serves as a reminder for students to celebrate responsibly and keep safety in mind.
“My biggest safety concern is, I think that people just get separated or end up going out alone,” Amanda Rucker, an RA at Hays Hall, said. “My advice is to go with someone that you trust and stay in groups.”
Student safety is of utmost priority, and there are plenty of resources available to students in case of an emergency.
Resident assistants are available 24/7 but are not always the main point of contact in major emergencies. From safety escorts to health concerns, TCU Police are a helpful and readily available resource.
“Their main goal is not to get you in trouble, it’s to help,” Rucker said. “Calling the police is the safest thing to do.”
Dormitories all across campus adhere to policies throughout the semester, regardless of the holiday. It is important for students to uphold these rules and regulations because they exist for people’s safety and the consideration of others sharing these living spaces.
“This is a time where a lot of people bring their friends over,” Apurva Mamidenna, an RA in the Northeast Apartments, said. “So making sure you’re being respectful and courteous because not everyone is going out and partaking in activities.”
For students not planning on going out during the holiday, several dorms and organizations are hosting activities to provide safe ways to celebrate on campus.
“We hosted an event last year called Reverse Trick-or-Treating, where we’d knock on residents’ doors and deliver candy to them,” Mamidenna said. “It was a way to celebrate with residents who were staying in on Halloween.”
No matter how students spend the holiday, staying alert, knowing your resources and watching out for each other can keep Halloween fun and safe.
“It’s about having fun but also making sure everyone gets home safely,” Rucker said.
For more information on events, visit What2Do@TCU.
