Dear Students:

As Mardi Gras approaches, we would like to impress upon you the importance of being safe while enjoying one of the country's biggest festivities. As you no doubt know, Mardi Gras is a time when thousands of people descend upon New Orleans . With Fat Tuesday less than two weeks away, we are already beginning to see an increase in traffic in the city. Mardi Gras also leads to an influx of students from colleges and universities around the country, many of whom will be staying with friends on campus.

Here are some helpful hints to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable Carnival season.

Safety on Campus: With the large numbers of visitors to campus, people will be in and out of residence halls and other buildings on campus. To protect yourself and others from theft, remember:

• To lock your residence hall room door at all times
• Do NOT prop open doors to your residence halls
• Do NOT let people into any building. If they are supposed to be there,
  they will have access
• Don't leave valuables unattended in the library, dining facilities, lounges, etc.

Safety off Campus: When attending parades, be sure to be mindful of your safety and the safety of those in your group.

• Travel Together : Always travel in groups, preferably with at least four or more people.
  Know Where You are Going: If you are walking through the city, stay on well-traveled and well-lit streets. Post-Katrina New Orleans has many streets - especially side streets - that have few residents or businesses open.
• Have a designated meeting spot : If you get lost or separated from your group, pick an easy to find location and a designated time so that you can find each other. Make sure the location has a specific landmark - because of the crowds, it can be difficult to spot others in your group even if they are only a few feet away.
• Don't carry a lot of money around: Pickpockets have a field day in large crowds. Try to limit what you carry to a few bills, a credit card, health insurance info and some form of ID. Also, keep a list of all credit cards and their 1-800 customer service numbers at home in case you lose your wallet or purse.
• Don't get too close to the floats: Every year, someone is injured by a passing float when trying to grab something thrown from a float. Stay behind barricades or on the curb of the parade route.  

Safe Consumption Tips: If you must drink alcohol, please do so responsibly:

• Eat WHILE you drink
• Drink plenty of water
• If you are male - only consume 4-5 standard drinks per evening
• If you are female - only consume 3-4 standard drinks per evening
• Only consume one standard drink per hour
• Never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning: Many students don't realize when they or someone in their group experiences alcohol poisoning. Look for the following symptoms.

• Unconsciousness or "sleeping"
• Cold, clammy, pale blush skin or lips
• Slow breathing, less than 8 times per minute
• Vomiting while sleeping or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting

Be a friend--If you suspect that someone in your group is suffering from alcohol poisoning, seek help immediately .

Dealing with New Orleans Police: With the increased number of people on the streets during Mardi Gras, police officers often have little patience when trying to control crowds. If they think you are being uncooperative or creating a danger to yourself or others, you may get arrested and end up in Central Lock-up.

Do not get into a fight: If the police see a fight break out, they will not hesitate to use force to subdue it and then arrest all participants. They don't care how or why the fight started nor do they care who was in the right or in the wrong.

Additionally, public nudity (flashing) and public urination can get you arrested.

If you are arrested (for any reason), it is difficult to be bailed out. Thousands of people are arrested during Mardi Gras and the system gets backed up. Getting out costs $200.00, but the courts are closed and most people spend anywhere from two to five days in jail before they can be bailed out . If you do get arrested, call the OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY at 865-5200.

Mardi Gras Planning: To make your visit to a parade more enjoyable, a few things you might want to bring:

• Plenty of water
• A bag with handles to hold any beads, doubloons or trinkets you catch
• A raincoat or poncho in case it rains
• Sunscreen and a hat or visor, along with sunglasses, to protect you from the sun
• Snacks and lunch/dinner. Trying to get into stores or fast food restaurants may take hours - if they are even open
• Some people bring ice chests or wagons to parades. While this is okay on St. Charles Ave. , it is not recommended downtown or in the French Quarter
• Check the weather each day and realize it may change. Wear comfortable clothing and a good pair of walking shoes. In addition, a folding chair can come in handy when you plan to be on the parade route for hours on end.

Emergency Numbers: Be sure you have a list of emergency numbers of people you can call in the event of trouble.

• TUPD: 865-5200
• Fred King - criminal: 913-1666
• Greg Nichols - civil: 585-7336

Have a great time and we'll see you at the parades!