The University of Connecticut Undergraduate Student Government is giving out free safety items for students today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the OSS Lounge, room 219, in the Student Union.
Keira Conrad, vice president of USG, said that these items are beneficial to have especially with Halloween weekend coming up.
“This event is to prepare for Halloweekend and to ensure that UConn undergrads have things that they can carry with them and take with them to ensure their safety during this weekend,” she said.
Items being handed out include keychain alarms and drink testing strips to check for substances including fentanyl, Conrad said.
With Halloween on the horizon, students may be put in dangerous situations which is why it’s a good idea to have some of these safety precautions, she said.
“I think giving them out at this time is just going to really benefit students and ensure their safety,” Conrad said.
The event benefits all undergraduate students, she said. People may go out for Halloween in unfamiliar places late at night.
“I think it’s really good to have these like precautionary items, and also just so people feel safe going out and feel like they have something to fall back on if they need to,” she said.
This is the first time USG has hosted this type of event, Conrad said.
“I came up with this because I wanted to use our budget money in a productive way for students, and I think just in today’s climate, I think safety is like a huge thing that we need to focus on,” Conrad said.
There are going to be many students participating in Halloween activities over the weekend, she said.
“We can’t really prevent students from being in unsafe situations because what they do on their own time is their choice,” she said.
USG wants to help students feel safe no matter their situation.
Conrad had some advice for students who may be going out for the first time on UConn’s campus.
“I would say watch out for yourself,” Conrad said. “Watch out for the people around you. Be hyper vigilant of the people around you and where you are. Make sure not to walk places late at night. Always take an Uber.”
She also said that students should have safety items with them and to know their limit when participating in any activities.
Another USG event relating to student safety is the “Take Back The Night Rally,” scheduled for Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Student Union Terrace.
Many college campuses across the country have similar rallies planned to spread awareness about rape and to help end rape culture on college campuses, Conrad said.
The rally has been happening for decades and honors survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and harassment, according to UConn’s Women’s Center.
Though they are separate events, the hope is that both events will work to keep students safe.
“These are really important issues that have a large impact, and I think USG as a whole is doing our best to support students in today’s climate with these issues, so they are very much connected,” Conrad said.