Oct. 25, 2023

Dear Students,

We hope this message finds you enjoying the fall semester in New England. The leaves are changing, the air is cooler, and everything is pumpkin spice. As with every October, kids young and old are getting excited about Halloween. We want everyone to enjoy this time of year, and we want each of you to remain safe and to be a positive presence in our community.

If you live “down the line” or are planning to visit there this weekend, please be aware that the Narragansett and South Kingstown police departments are partnering with local and state law enforcement agencies to have an increased presence. They will enforce state laws and local ordinances to prevent potentially dangerous situations (e.g., large gatherings, loud noise, etc.). Please be respectful of your neighbors and if you are hosting a social gathering at an off-campus residence, be a good neighbor and a responsible host as is required by law. Please refer to the URI Student Handbook regarding off-campus jurisdiction (page 15). URI Police will also be out on campus to help keep students and community members safe.

With Halloween approaching, we ask that all our students take extra care when driving to and from campus, especially in your local neighborhoods. The days are getting shorter and there may be many more pedestrians out in the dark.

Choosing a costume

One of the fun parts of Halloween is picking the right costume. That said, sometimes people make costume choices based on tired cliches or vulgar stereotypes. We ask you to please remember that someone else’s cultural, ethnic, and/or religious identities are NOT costumes, and choosing a costume that demeans or stereotypes others can cause real harm within our community. Be creative, use your imagination, and be sensitive to other people. Stop and think before choosing a costume. As a university community we must work together to end culturally inappropriate costumes. Together we can create a better sense of belonging through inclusive excellence. Show respect for each other and make good decisions.

Be safe, stay safe

Lastly, if you are planning to go to a costume or Halloween party, please look out for yourself and your friends. Be an active bystander and do not be afraid to speak up or act if you or your friends feel uncomfortable. Also, please keep in mind that a costume does not imply consent. URI is here to help with on-campus resources (Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Health Services, Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services).

It is also important to think of COVID-19, flu, and substance-use safety this Halloween. If you want to celebrate safely, make a plan: decide in advance what activities you are comfortable with, who your Halloween friends are, and how you are going to celebrate and get home safely. You should never take a drink from a common source (e.g., a punch bowl), because you have no idea what is in it, and you should always respect peers’ decisions not to drink.

We want everyone to have a safe and fun Halloween. If you are heading out this weekend, please be careful and watch out for each other and remember URI’s Amnesty policy. If you remain on campus, please remember to respect each other and the facilities at URI. Halloween does not give anyone permission to cause injury or to damage residence halls or other campus properties.

Wishing you a safe and spooky Halloween.

Ellen M. Reynolds
Vice President for Student Affairs