As the Oxford air gets its first hint of warmth (between random one-hour snowstorms) and the days get longer, we know that spring is on its way! And while it may seem like the semester just started, Spring Break is upon us. Just a few more days of midterms, papers, and group projects, and RedHawks can finally relax! Whether you’re headed to the beach or the slopes, or just taking a well deserved staycation, we’ve taken a few notes from the HAWKS Peer Health Educators (out of the Office of Student Wellness) to provide some tips for a safer Spring Break 2018.
Sunscreen
Did you know that alcohol actually increases your risk of getting a bad sunburn? What’s more, sun can actually increase the effects of alcohol and leave you with a really nasty hangover. Miami students are always encouraged to “work hard, play smart” and this same mantra applies to Spring Break. In order to protect yourself from those harmful rays, make sure you generously apply sunscreen (at least SPF 30!) about every two hours. Even if you’re going somewhere cold, the sun will still be out, so pack that sunscreen regardless!
Hydration
The average person should drink around eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. While that may seem like a lot, you actually need even more water when you are in the sun all day. Make sure to swing by Brick + Ivy or one of the shops uptown before you leave and pick up a water bottle to pack!
Cold Weather
It’s just as important to stay hydrated and protected from the sun if you are going somewhere cold. Since altitude can amplify the effects of alcohol, avoid drinking if you are skiing. Alcohol can also make you less sensitive to the cold and therefore more likely to get frostbite or hypothermia. Again, play smart!
Traveling
If your group has a long drive ahead, make sure to alternate drivers every so often, especially if the driver is getting tired! Also make sure to never get in the car with an intoxicated driver. If you are using Uber or Lyft, double check that the car, license plate number, and photo match that of the one you ordered. It’s better to take extra steps to ensure you and your friends’ safety.
Safe and Consensual Sex
At Miami, our definition of consensual sex is “sober, uncoerced, and enthusiastic.” This means that in order for sex to be consensual, neither party should be intoxicated or feel pressured to partake. The absence of a “no” does not mean “yes.”
A good way to make sure each party is comfortable is to identify boundaries before the trip even starts. If someone is clear about their boundaries from the beginning, don’t try to push them. If you decide to have consensual sex, make sure it is safe! Wear protection to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancy.
Drinking
At Miami, there is a policy in place to ensure that people get the help they need without fear of getting in trouble. The Good Samaritan Policy states that “Miami University will not arrest or take disciplinary action for a violation of Miami’s drug or alcohol policies against those students who seek emergency medical assistance for themselves or other students” (Student Handbook 4.8). In these last few days before Spring Break, make sure to familiarize yourself with this policy. Here are some important things to know:
- Good Samaritans will not apply to students who also violate some other University policy that warrants disciplinary action (the student handbook lists refusal of treatment, false I.D.s, assault, and property damage).
- It is not a free pass; students who receive protection from the Good Samaritan Policy will be required to meet with the Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution (OESCR) and/or meet with a specialist for education, assessment, and a possible referral for treatment. The student is responsible for any associated costs and their parents may be notified.
- If, within a twelve month period following a Good Samaritan report, a student incurs an alcohol violation, the prior assistance file may be reviewed in the sanctioning process but will not be counted as a prior alcohol offense.
- While Good Samaritan is a Miami policy, Oxford Police operate under Ohio Law. Although the consequences may be different, it should not prevent anyone from getting the medical attention they need.
- The Good Samaritan Policy is not a free pass for binge drinking. It is the University’s expectation “that a student will avoid disciplinary action under this Good Samaritan Policy only once; it is an opportunity to learn from a serious mistake and take healthy steps to avoid such mistakes in the future.”
Regardless of any policies in place, if you see someone who needs help, do the right thing and get help!
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Thank you again to the HAWKS Peer Health Educators for inspiring this post! Safe travels and Happy Spring Break, Miami!
