Dear Students,
Halloween is a social occasion, and we realize many of you may plan to celebrate together this weekend. If you are going to gather and celebrate, please do so with your health and safety, and the health and safety of those around you, in mind.
Transmission of COVID remains a concern, even among fully vaccinated individuals. We encourage you to participate in lower-risk activities, ideally in smaller groups and outdoors. If indoors, opt for lower-density gatherings and wear a protective mask over your nose and mouth. Large gatherings, especially indoors, present a high risk of COVID transmission and can result in a significant spike in cases, limiting our ability to maintain the in-person activities we’ve been enjoying this semester.
This weekend features a number of on- and off-campus events, ranging from home Lehigh Sports events to The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Steel Stacks. The Lehigh Events Calendar has a more complete listing of safe and COVID-friendly entertainment options for all members of the campus community.
As always, we encourage you to prioritize personal safety while attending parties or gatherings on or off campus. Make responsible choices. If you choose to consume alcoholic beverages, please drink responsibly and avoid binge drinking, which can lead to impaired judgment and serious health problems. If you are traveling somewhere by car and plan to drink, designate a driver.
Look out for one another. If someone you are with appears to have had too much to drink, call the LUPD at 610-758-4200 for assistance. As a reminder, Lehigh’s Medical Amnesty Policy ensures that students who seek emergency medical attention for themselves or someone else related to consumption of drugs or alcohol will not be charged with violations of the Lehigh University Code of Conduct related to that consumption.
Pay attention to campus safety alerts that provide important information about safety concerns on campus. LUPD will have additional security guards working on campus this weekend.
Darkness falls earlier this time of year, making it even more important to prioritize safety when walking between locations on or off campus. Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid walking alone after dark, and stay in well-lit areas. If you don’t have a friend to walk with, contact the LUPD for a no-questions-asked walking escort, or use the most current version of the free Hawkwatch personal safety app, which includes helpful features such as the mobile bluelight for direct contact with LUPD dispatchers and the virtual walk home. If you are on campus and you experience an emergency or feel threatened in any way, call the LUPD. If you are off campus, call 9-1-1.
Please take good care of yourselves and each other.
Sincerely,
Nathan Urban
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ric Hall
Vice President for Student Affairs
Jason Schiffer
Chief of Police, Lehigh University Police Department