University of Colorado at Boulder officials are sending students celebrating tips to help them avoid the potentially serious risks of hosting irresponsible parties.
Suspensions, legal charges, fines and injuries are some of the possible consequences of hosting or attending a party that violates city of Boulder ordinances and campus rules.
"Smart Celebrating Tips" are being e-mailed to students in the form of Buff Bulletins and Off-Campus Student Services is providing information through its "Off-Campus Survival Guide" at orientation, through its office and via student mailings. The city of Boulder's "How to Have a Great Party" tips can be found at .
"Safe celebrations are a fun part of the college experience," said Ron Stump, CU-Boulder vice chancellor for student affairs. "We're trying to educate all of our students, particularly our first-year students, about how to make the right decisions about reasonable limits and safe, fun celebrations."
Results from Harvard University's "College Alcohol Survey" indicated that almost 70 percent of CU-Boulder students consume from none to four drinks -- categorized as low-risk drinking -- when they attend parties.
The Smart Celebrating Tips focus on party hosts and things to do, or not do, when hosting a party. Party hosts are advised to follow these guidelines:
o Get to know your neighbors and let them know if you're hosting a party.
o Don't make alcohol the focus of your party. Consider having a party theme.
o Don't let strangers enter your party, because you are responsible for their actions.
o Have someone near the door to help prevent problems before they happen.
o Designate a non-drinking monitor to control noise -- the most common cause
of complaints and police responses.
o Reduce music and loud conversation. Under a city ordinance, tickets will be issued for speaking outside in louder than conversational tones after 11 p.m.
o Be sure alcohol stays inside the residence, because the party host is responsible if alcohol leaves the premises.
o Provide food, water and non-alcoholic beverages as alternatives to alcohol, and use paper or plastic containers to avoid broken glass.
o Encourage a buddy system to watch for overconsumption and to ensure safe trips home. Take keys away from anyone who should not drive or offer rides with a responsible driver.
o Cooperate with police if they come to your home or apartment.
o Failure to move or disperse when requested could threaten your safety. Once police demand dispersal, failure to do so can result in criminal charges.
o Observe current city, county and state fire restrictions that may prohibit all open flames or fires, cigarette smoking, fireworks and charcoal grills in parks and recreation areas.
o Be sure emergency vehicles have access to an emergency area. Since visibility
is minimized at night for drivers of these vehicles, stay away from emergency vehicles and their access routes. Failure to do so is criminal obstruction.
o Persons planning a block party should contact the city of Boulder's Neighborhood Services department at (303) 441-3019.
o Sororities planning a party should contact the CU-Boulder Greek Liaison office at (303) 492-6359 and the Boulder Police Department's Greek Liaison officer.
o Call the CU Police at (303) 492-6666 for on-campus non-emergencies. For off-campus non-emergencies call the Boulder Police or Fire departments at (303) 441-3333. A community police center is located on the Hill at College Avenue and 13th Street.
For information about what the university is doing to reduce the negative effects of alcohol visit the "A Matter of Degree" Web site at , or call (303) 492-3149.