(KINGSTON, ON) Queen’s University and its campus and community partners are taking proactive steps to encourage safe and respectful behaviour and discourage large unsanctioned gatherings in the University District this fall.

The university is working closely with student representatives and partners including the City of Kingston, Kingston Police, Frontenac Paramedics, Kingston Fire and Rescue, Utilities Kingston, and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, to address the potential risks of large unsanctioned student gatherings.

"The university and our community partners have been working together to ensure students understand the safety risks and disruptions to the community that large, unsanctioned street gatherings cause,” says Matthew Evans, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). “We know students will get together and socialize, but we strongly encourage everyone to be smart, stay safe, and make choices that do not put themselves and others at risk, and importantly, do not put additional strain on Kingston’s health-care system.”

A student-focused social media campaign, communications, events, and door-to-door visits by Queen’s, Police Liaison Teams, and By-law officers to hundreds of students and residents in the University District have been underway in a collective effort to promote respectful behaviours and to raise awareness of the risks of large gatherings.

The university is also coordinating supports such as food trucks, snacks and water, alcohol harm reduction education, alternate programming and events, and expanded access to supervised recovery sites.

The University District Safety Initiative is in effect from 12 a.m. on October 14 to 12 a.m. on November 1. Students may have to appear in court, and/or may be fined if they are found contravening provincial or municipal laws and bylaws related to nuisance parties and open liquor.

–30–

For further information contact:

Mitchell Fox, Media Relations Officer

Mitchell.fox@queensu.ca

343-363-1794