Halloween Weekend message

The following message was shared with Ohio University students on Oct. 26, 2020.

Dear Students,

As you know by now, the Halloween celebration sponsored by the City of Athens this weekend has been canceled. This is a time of year that we all look forward to, and I encourage you to find festive and safe ways to gather, wear costumes, eat fall treats, and connect with one another.
 
During this critical time in this atypical school year, I am asking for your help to encourage personal and civic responsibility to ensure a safe Halloween for you and our community.

There’s safety in small numbers
Limit your gatherings to close friends and/or connect virtually with other groups. Please be aware of travel exposure risks, and limit your contacts and invitations (opens in a new window) with care.

Dress-up respectfully and safely
Consider the impact of racially or ethnically offensive costumes and make sure to incorporate a safety mask (opens in a new window) into your ensemble.

Be an engaged bystander
Get help for those who need it, whether that means medical emergency assistance (opens in a new window) or intervening to advocate (opens in a new window) for another person who is uncomfortable.

Remember it’s only one weekend
Your safety is more important than the temporary excitement that unsafe behaviors may entice. Between the risk of illness, danger, and Code of Conduct (opens in a new window) violations, you have every reason to take it easy this year.

Think outside the box
Explore virtual involvement (opens in a new window) ideas, host a game night (opens in a new window), find a drive-in movie (opens in a new window), or pick your own farm (opens in a new window), join Friday Night Live OHIO (opens in a new window), make Halloween treats (opens in a new window), and reach out (opens in a new window) to others.

Please remember that we all have a shared responsibility for upholding the standards of Ohio University and respecting the City of Athens. I appreciate your continued efforts to represent the University with pride this Halloween weekend and always.

Be Well,
Patti

Sincerely,

Patti McSteen
Interim Senior Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs