CU-Boulder and city officials are getting safe celebrating tips to students to help them avoid the potentially serious risks of hosting irresponsible parties.
Suspensions, legal charges, fines and injuries are some of the possible consequences of hosting or attending a party that violates city of Boulder ordinances and campus rules.
"Smart Celebrating Tips" are being e-mailed to students in the form of campus Buff Bulletins, and Off-Campus Student Services is providing information through its Student Party Packet at orientation, through its office and via student mailings. "Smart Celebrating Tips" is available on the Web at .
"Safe celebrations are a fun part of the college experience," said Ron Stump, CU-Boulder vice chancellor for student affairs. "We're trying to educate all of our students, particularly our first-year students, about how to make the right decisions about reasonable limits and safe, fun celebrations."
In addition to the bulletin and guide, on the afternoons of Aug. 24-25, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, CU students and city and CU volunteers will do a "Walkabout" on The Hill to welcome students back for the new school year, drop off copies of "The Smart Party Off Campus" brochure and to deliver free goodies.
At least 450 residences in The Hill neighborhood will be targeted for the welcome, snacks and information packet. According to Jennifer Korbelik, university liaison for the city of Boulder, if more volunteers are identified to deliver the packets, another 200 residences in the Goss-Grove neighborhood between Arapahoe Avenue and Canyon Boulevard, 13th and Folsom streets will be added to the "Walkabout."
"The Walkabout" is sponsored by CU-Boulder's Off-Campus Student Services office, the University of Colorado Student Union and Bob Maust, director of CU's A Matter of Degree program.
Smart Celebrating tips focus on party hosts and things to do, or not do, when hosting a party. Party hosts are advised to follow these guidelines:
o Get to know your neighbors and let them know if you're hosting a party.
o Don't make alcohol the focus of your party. Consider having a party theme.
o Don't let strangers enter your party because you are responsible for their actions.
o Have someone near the door to help prevent problems before they happen.
o Designate a non-drinking monitor to control noise -- the most common cause of complaints and police responses.
o Reduce music and loud conversation. By city ordinance, tickets will be issued for speaking outside in louder than conversational tones after 11 p.m.
o Be sure alcohol stays inside the residence because the party host is responsible if alcohol leaves the premises.
o Provide food, water and non-alcoholic beverages as alternatives to alcohol, and use paper or plastic containers to avoid broken glass.
o Encourage a buddy system to watch for overconsumption and to ensure safe trips home. Take keys away from anyone who should not drive, or offer rides with a responsible driver.
o Cooperate with police if they come to your home or apartment.
o Failure to move or disperse when requested could threaten your safety. Once police demand dispersal, failure to do so can result in criminal charges.
o Observe current city, county and state fire restrictions that may prohibit all open flames or fires, cigarette smoking, fireworks and charcoal grills in parks and recreation areas.
o Be sure emergency vehicles have access to an emergency area. Since visibility is minimized at night for drivers of emergency vehicles, stay out of their way and away from their access routes. Failure to do so is considered criminal obstruction.
o Persons planning a block party should contact the city of Boulder's Neighborhood Services department at (303) 441-4959.
o Sororities planning a party should contact the CU-Boulder Greek Liaison office at (303) 492-5425.
o Call the CU Police at (303) 492-6666 for on-campus non-emergencies. For off-campus non-emergencies call the Boulder Police or Fire departments at (303) 441-3333. A community police center is located on The Hill at College Avenue and 13th Street.
For more information on back-to-school activities go to: .