Our advice column is back and rebranded to Ask Ms. Spartan. Each month will focus on a new topic and open up questions San Jose State University students are curious about. Questions will then be answered by Ms. Spartan.
The theme for this month will be responsible college partying. Ms. Spartan will discuss how to safely party, responsibly drink, and use the safety resources SJSU provides.
Safe Partying
Partying in college is a great way for people to come together, socialize, and relieve any stress from life. The social culture has made it seem like parties are all loud raves and intoxicated young adults, but they have since died down of that intensity through the years.
Still, parties do happen each year, and if you are new to partying, here is what to expect and end the night safely.
One of the main questions is why do people even attend parties? Parties help you build networks with other students around campus that may be useful to you soon. All parties are also not the same; some can be wild, but others are generally small gatherings.
Whenever you attend a party, it’s best to bring a trusted friend. Look after each other and always have each other’s back. If someone had a little too much to drink or isn’t feeling well, call it a night and help them exit to safety.
Parties are always better with people you know instead of strangers, so buddy up! Especially for first-timers, avoid drinking if you are underage (if not, drink responsibly) and keep your phone handy.
Danger Signs
While parties do not always contain alcohol, many do, and it’s essential to walk in with the right mindset to avoid any risks. Additionally, let’s say you meet someone new. Here are some warning signs to watch out for and more.
Keep a close eye on who makes or gets your drink. Make sure they aren’t being tampered with. If you need to step away from your drink for even a few minutes, always get a new cup in case your new “friend” tries to mess with it.
Watch their actions. Are they trying to get you far away from your friends? Do they keep giving you drinks or follow you often? They may have a certain motive and will not take no for an answer.
You’ve started talking and getting to know them more, but they subtly and suddenly try to feel you up. Hands are on your arm and move all over your body. Know the difference between dancing and touching. If your gut is telling you something is wrong, trust it! Get out of the situation, and relocate your friends.
When it comes to “fitting in” in college, partying is generally the way to go. However, it may simply not be for you, and that is ok! Partying isn’t everything, and there are plenty of other ways to fit in. There are plenty of college students who feel their experience was worth it without partying at all. Join school organizations that pique your interest. Get involved with like-minded individuals and network outside of the party environment. Find your people and prioritize your needs.
The feeling of not fitting in, first time attendance, or danger signs can be terrifying to some people, but remember these tips, grab a friend, and enjoy your night.
You deserve to let go every once in a while. You deserve it!
College students at a night party. Image from Insidehook.com
Safe Drinking
Alcohol and college parties commonly coexist with one another. Attending college parties will likely result in an encounter with alcohol. Though alcohol intake may be socially enjoyable for some, others may not want that lifestyle and might even feel pressured by their peers to participate in drinking.
Many people struggle to say no when offered a drink for fear of being perceived as a coward or party pooper. However, there are several strategies to refrain from drinking alcohol. You may, for example, inform your peers that you are the designated sober friend or that you might grab a drink later. Making a big issue about it or publicly announcing that you do not drink is unnecessary.
For those who covet the drinking aspect of a college party, there are some tips you should keep in mind. Namely, being aware of how alcohol affects your body, monitoring your beverage, and avoiding getting roofied.
Roofie is a colloquial play on the name of the most prominent “date rape drug” circa 1999, Rohypnol. Getting roofied means having your drink spiked with Rohypnol or a drug akin to Rohypnol.
Having your drink get spiked is a frequent occurrence at drinking socials. “About 1 in 13 college students in a new study from three U.S. campuses report having been drugged, or suspected that they were drugged.” To prevent yourself from becoming a statistic, follow these tactics: pour your drink, reject beverages from others, know the ingredients of your drink, never leave your beverage unattended, and pay attention to how your body reacts to the beverage.
A common question regarding safe drinking is whether it is okay to mix alcohol. Generally, mixing alcohol garners little risk. However, you never want to mix alcohol with medications. Mixing the two includes headaches, dizziness, fainting, and lack of coordination. Moreover, the risk of undergoing internal bleeding, cardiac issues, and breathing difficulties is greater.
Safe Resources on the SJSU Campus
College parties predominantly go on past midnight, when the streets of San Jose are crowded with dangerous people. Whether alone or in a group setting, it may feel sketchy to walk in the streets at night time. Luckily, SJSU offers many safety solutions to ensure the safety of its students.
Lyft is a transportation service that locates a driver in your area who will pick you up and drive you to your desired destination. In 2022, SJSU’s Associated Students Transportation Solutions and UPD Parking Services partnered with Lyft to launch a program called the “SJSU Lyft Evening Ride Program.” This program grants three free rides up to $10 per month; rides typically cost around $20 dollars or more.
If you are residing on-campus or just a couple blocks away, there is also a “SJSU Safe Ride Program” that gives rides to all students, faculty, and staff within a set perimeter. This is handled specifically by the school and not third-party services like Lyft if you want to be extra safe. Requesting is simple; use a campus Bluelight phone or call UPD at 408-924-2000. Their hours of operation are weekdays from 7-12:30 a.m. PST. Be sure to have your school ID with you when being picked up.
Not all parties happen off campus, so calling a Lyft or the SJSU Safe Ride Program would not make sense. In this case, you can utilize SJSU’s “Safety Escort Program.” Either press the button on one of the campus’s Bluelight Phones or call the UPD at (408)-924-2222. A police officer will then come to escort you back home. This service is available 24 hours a day.
SJSU police officer with a safety escort vehicle to safely bring students where they need on campus. Image from Sjsu.edu.
How will you celebrate Halloween this year? Will you be attending any parties? Let us know at @HerCampusSJSU.
We hope you found this helpful, and look out for next month’s topic!