UW-Madison Dean of Students Lori Berquam offered tips for UW-Madison students to have a fun and safe Halloween celebration this weekend on a newly launched Halloween 2007"" website.
""If you plan to attend, I encourage you to go out in a group, cooperate with law enforcement and security personnel and place limits on your alcohol consumption,"" Berquam said on the website.
""If you are intoxicated, you place yourself at a much greater risk for injury, unwanted sexual contact or a citation from police.""'""
Safety tips include going out with people known and trusted, dressing for the weather and approaching police if students witness any suspicious or criminal behavior.
Berquam reminded students that State Street is a glass-free zone during Freakfest and any objects thrown would result in an immediate arrest.
Andrew Collins Francois Stollfus, a Witte house fellow, said he relayed similar messages to his floor residents during a recent Halloween meeting.
Stollfus said he also addressed inappropriate costume choices, which Berquam described on the website as anything racist, crude or culturally offensive.
Kevin Helmkamp, associate dean in the Offices of the Dean of Students, said he hoped students make good choices this weekend.
""[ODOS is] encouraging and trusting our students to make good decisions about what's safe for them, what's smart for them and what's respectful of other people in regards to what it is that they do and the costumes that they choose. I'll put my trust in our students,"" he said.
Any criminal behavior made by UW-Madison students at Freakfest will be subject to usual ODOS actions, but Helmkamp said disciplinary action depends on the nature of an infraction.
He said any violations between two students run the risk of ""severe disciplinary action.""'""
""By and large, our students - o - oUW-Madison students - o - ohave been pretty good about things and we would certainly count on that again this year,"" Helmkamp said.
