Staying Safe on Campus: Letter From Student Life

(As emailed through HCAnnoucements)

Submitted by: Dawn M Ellinwood

To: Hampshire Students From: Student Life Re: Staying Safe on Campus Date: November 29, 2010

Dear Students,

We are writing to you now in response to recent and serious complaints and incidents on campus and as part of ongoing efforts to educate students and the entire Hampshire community about personal safety. Student Life and Public Safety professionals respond immediately to all incidents involving misuse of alcohol, drugs and sexual offenses. Please seek their help if you or someone else is in danger and involved in such behaviors. Listed below are all the resources we offer.

What is moderate, safe and responsible alcohol consumption? Remember that in Massachusetts, the legal drinking age is 21. For students who choose to drink, it is important to be aware of how alcohol affects you, as everyone has a different tolerance level and responds differently to varying amounts or types of alcohol. A good general guideline to follow is to consume one drink or less per hour, which in many people maintains a BAC (blood alcohol content) at around 0.05, although individuals may experience higher or lower BAC depending on their weight, eating habits, etc. At this level, you may experience a "buzz" while also avoiding many of the more negative effects of alcohol consumption. Other suggestions for drinking safety are:

- Eat before you drink, - Stay hydrated (with water), - Set a limit for yourself ahead of time, - Watch out for your friends and ask them to watch out for you, - Have a designated driver, a place to stay, or a plan to get home (if applicable).

Possession and use of drugs on campus can result in criminal penalties and loss of student status at Hampshire. The unlawful manufacture, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance at Hampshire is prohibited. This includes the use of illegal drugs and the misuse of prescription and over the counter drugs. The misuse of prescription drugs means that only the person who is prescribed the medication is the one who should take the medication. Prescription drugs are not meant to be shared.

Below is a list of important resources and contacts, as well as some concrete steps for protecting yourself and others:

- If you, or someone you know, has experienced a nonconsensual sexual interaction of any kind, support and resources are available: &amp;#10146; Jessica Gifford, Sexual Offense Services (SOS) Coordinator x5743 &amp;#10146; Public Safety x5424 &amp;#10146; Counselor Advocates x6998 &amp;#10146; Health Services x5458 &amp;#10146; For more information about the resources and options available to victim/survivors look online http://www.hampshire.edu/studentlife/5656.htm and refer to the Hampshire sexual offense policy, which is linked to this site, and paper copies are located in the house offices, at Community Health, and at Public Safety. &amp;#10146; Off-campus hotlines include The Everywoman's Center (sexual assault) 888-337-0800, Safe Passage (relationship violence) 888-345-5282, and Substance use/abuse helpline: 800-327-5050.

- Steps you can take to reduce the incidence of sexual assault on campus and contribute to a safe, healthy environment: &amp;#10146; Engage in sexual encounters when you and your partner are fully capable to make an informed decision about being sexual (alcohol and other drugs interfere with the ability to give informed consent &amp; assess whether what's happening is consensual). This will protect you from inadvertently overstepping sexual boundaries and potentially hurting someone. &amp;#10146; If you observe a situation that you're concerned about becoming potentially unsafe, trust your instincts and intervene. Always call Public Safety if you think the situation could become violent. If you are comfortable, interrupt and ask: "Is everything okay here?" "Can I talk to you for a minute?" "Are you comfortable with this situation?" or otherwise disrupt the situation. If you would like to become trained at intervening in these types of situations, contact Jessica Gifford jgifford@hampshire.edu for more information. &amp;#10146; Stick with your friends and look out for each other - develop a "get me out of here" signal. Let your friends know where you are going and with whom. &amp;#10146; If you're alone and feel uncomfortable walking across campus, call Public Safety for a walking guard. &amp;#10146; Take a R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) course through OPRA. &amp;#10146; Lock your doors &amp; only let people you know and trust into your residence/room. &amp;#10146; If you feel uncomfortable with a friend, date or stranger, trust your instincts and leave the situation (make an excuse - I told so and so I'd meet them) move to a more populated area or call Public Safety. &amp;#10146; Note location of emergency phones on campus in case you need to use one. &amp;#10146; Never accept a drink from someone you do not know. &amp;#10146; Never accept a drink at a party that comes in an open container.