Tips for a Safe and Respectful Halloween

As Halloween approaches, we have some important reminders for celebrating safely, while maintaining respect for other Ducks.

Ducks Save Lives

Alcohol poisoning can be fatal. Make the call. According to Oregon’s Medical Amnesty Law, if you seek medical assistance for yourself or another person, neither of you can be held responsible for a minor in possession (MIP) for alcohol. This law does not give immunity for other alcohol or drug offenses and does not override University of Oregon policy.

Self-Care: Before, While, and after Drinking Alcohol

Before drinking...

  • Eat a substantial meal. The presence of food in the stomach is one of the greatest factors affecting how quickly alcohol is absorbed. Peak blood alcohol concentration occurs after one hour on an empty stomach, but doubles to two hours when drinking on a full stomach.
  • Consume vitamin C. Having a healthy dose of vitamin C in your system before drinking speeds up the metabolism of alcohol by the liver.

While drinking...

  • Drink lots of water. Alcohol is a diuretic (causing urination); therefore, alcohol contributes to dehydration. Although dehydration is not considered a main cause of hangovers, it may contribute to symptoms like thirst, headache, fatigue, and dry mouth.
  • Dress according to the weather. Drinking alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate (moving warm blood closer to the surface of your skin), giving you a false sense of warmth. As blood is pumped closer to the skin’s surface, this causes loss of core body heat.

After drinking...

  • Get lots of rest. Alcohol may affect the quality of sleep, so some signs of hangovers may actually be due to a lack of good sleep.
  • Stay hydrated. Frequent urination while under the influence can deplete water which should be replenished.
  • Keep up the vitamin C. Continue consuming vitamin C to allow your liver to continue to metabolize.
  • Drink electrolytes. Electrolytes contain ions that prevent dehydration and replenish ions in the body that were depleted while drinking alcohol.
  • Consume carbohydrates. Alcohol causes low blood sugar levels, which is one of the main causes of fatigue and weakness.

Source: https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-1/54-60.pdf

Diversity Awareness

Halloween is a time where cultural appropriation most commonly occurs within the context of the United States. While cultural appropriation can occur through the year and is embedded within our society, by being aware of the impact that using others’ cultures as a joke or costume can cause, we can be a more 
inclusive and supportive UO community.

What is cultural appropriation?

  • Taking parts (symbols, words, dress, artifacts, etc.) from a culture that is not your own.
  • A power dynamic in which members of a dominate culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by the dominate group.

What can you do to address cultural appropriation?

  • Examine your own experience. If this is a new topic or idea, continue to do your own research and see what others views of cultural appropriation are. This usually means being willing to listen and learning, which can be difficult.
  • Think about what you’re doing for Halloween. Does it make a joke based on another culture, race, or ethnicity? Is your costume exploiting another culture as a joke?
  • Be an advocate and engage in dialog. If you see a costume that is offensive or doesn’t feel right, start a dialog with that person. Be sure that you are keeping yourself safe in these situations, and don’t put yourself into harm’s way.

Source: UO Multicultural Education, Engagement, and Student Success

Shuttle Services

  • Safe Ride (541-346-RIDE ext. 2)
    7:00 p.m. –midnight Sunday-Thursday, 7:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. Friday-Saturday
  • Designated Driver Shuttle (541-346-RIDE ext. 1)
    10:00 p.m. –2:30 a.m. daily
  • UO Campus Shuttle
    Go to map.uoregon.edu/campus-shuttle to find the nearest stop and track where the shuttles are.
    5:00 p.m. –1:00 a.m. daily
  • Missed all of those? Contact UOPD for a safety escort at 541-346-2919.
  • Lane Transit District (LTD): All UO students get free bus access with their student ID. Be aware of when the buses run (most routes stop running at 12:30 a.m. on weekdays, 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9:30 p.m. on Sundays).
  • Uber and Lyft: Download the apps and request a ride using your smartphone or laptop. (Note, this is not a free service.)