Halloweekend is the multi-day celebration surrounding Halloween. It is a time when many parties take place in college dorms, frat houses and clubs, which often involve heavy drinking.
With recent events such as the Cornell 7 and the Artist Lounge shooting, discussions on student safety and consent are more prevalent than ever. With Halloween approaching, CSUN students need to be aware of their safety to ensure a secure and happy Halloweekend.
Last Halloween, the Los Angeles Police Department shut down a Project X-style party following multiple reports of a massive fight, resulting in many teenagers being injured. Along with parties being shut down, the California Highway Patrol also made more than 500 arrests on Halloween for DUI statewide.
If you are going to be consuming alcohol or going to parties, it is extremely important to not get behind the wheel while under the influence. When you are driving under the influence, you are not only risking your own life, but you are also risking the lives of others.
In order to stay safe, it is best to make plans with a designated driver. You can also use rideshare apps like Lyft, Uber or Waymo to ensure that you have a sober driver.
Halloweekend is one of Lyft’s biggest nights, especially on college campuses. The most common drop-off locations they see on Halloweekend are fraternity houses, fast-food restaurants, dormitories and nightclubs.
It is also imperative that students keep an eye out for their own drinks, as they may come across locations filled with many people who are not trustworthy. Students should stay in a group and look out for others as they go out; it is a way to ensure everyone is protected and no one is left alone for maximum safety. Students can also use drink covers such as drink cover scrunchies or disposable drink cover stickers.
The Cornell Chi Phi lawsuit has been a major topic of discussion on most college campuses, with discussions on students’ protection and consent rising after the fraternity was accused of gang-raping Jane Doe. According to the Cornell Daily Sun, the lawsuit filing states that Jane Doe was heavily intoxicated after attending sorority-related events, eventually getting drugged at the Chi Phi frat house where she was unable to provide consent.
Consent is something every student should be aware of not only during Halloweekend, but also in our daily lives. A costume is not consent; it should never be considered an invitation for anything.
Regardless of the occasion, everyone is responsible for respecting boundaries and ensuring consent is given. Section 261(a)(3) states that rape with intoxication is engaging in non-consensual sexual intercourse with someone who is intoxicated or impaired and is unable to provide consent.
While many students may feel protected when going out to clubs or bars, there is still a risk. A recent shooting took place at the Artist Lounge nearby student apartment complexes and right across CSUN’s campus. Two partygoers, ages 18 and 19, were killed. Last Halloween, NBC San Diego reported that two teenagers were shot and killed at a Chula Vista Halloween party.
Students can look at the CSUN ASSERT (Active Shooter Training) plan to help ensure they are prepared for the event of a shooting. If there is ever an active shooting, students should immediately run, hide, take cover and call 911. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, there were 12 mass shootings that took place in the U.S. on Halloween weekend in 2023.
Being cautious at all times is important, especially on Halloween night where many students can be more at risk. Always remember that if you see something, say something, and report it to campus police or local authorities.
Halloween should be a time to dress up, have fun and eat lots of candy; nobody should have to feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Please be aware of not only your safety but also everyone else so all Matadors can make it back to campus safely.
