Students asked to prioritize safety and respect on St. Patrick’s Day

Queen’s University, in collaboration with its community partners on and off campus, is encouraging students to focus on well-being, respect, and responsibility, and discouraging behaviours that put students or others at risk over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

As part of its ongoing efforts to keep the campus community safe, Queen’s meets regularly with its community partners including Kingston Police, the City of Kingston, KFL&A Public Health, Frontenac Paramedics, and student governments to discuss and collaborate on strategies to address issues related to unsanctioned street parties that have occurred around St. Patrick’s Day.

The approach of the university and its partners begins with education, awareness, and engagement, and will rely on enforcement where warnings are ignored.

Initiatives being employed heading into and during St. Patrick’s Day include:

A new social media campaign

A new social media campaign entitled “U are Queen’sU” is being launched across Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify, and will address four key areas of safety and responsibility:

• Harm reduction messaging encouraging safer alcohol and substance use
• Messages to not climb on roofs, lamp posts or other structures
• Messages to keep roadways clear for emergency vehicles
• Enforcement and fine awareness.

Ads will also direct students to a Have Fun; Be Responsible resources webpage.

University District neighbourhood outreach

A student outreach team is going door-to-door in the University District to distribute a hand-out containing details of the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI), potential fines, including open alcohol fines, and safety and harm reduction information. Kingston Bylaw and the Police Liaison Team are also engaged in outreach activities.

Additional information will also be shared, including a Health Resources Map to direct students to the appropriate place or service if they need medical assistance.

Health Promotion’s Peer Health Educator (PHE) Substance Use Team is coordinating Safe Party-Goer and Party-Thrower Kit giveaway events, and collaborating with the Campus Observation Room’s peer team on in-residence and cross-campus alcohol harm reduction education outreach and activities.

Student-led initiatives

The Alma Mater Society has numerous direct communications planned, including:

• Know Your Rights – a social media campaign educating students on the University District Safety Initiative 
• Save our paws – a social media campaign discouraging the use of glass containers
• Bylaw reminders on social media – reminding students of relevant City of Kingston bylaws
• Food truck – A food truck will be open on campus outside the north entrance to the Queen’s Centre
   

Supervised recovery from intoxication on campus

The university’s Campus Observation Room (COR), the on-campus, non-medical detox service overseen by Student Wellness Services-trained student volunteers and Kingston Health Sciences Centre professional staff will be open throughout the weekend:

• Friday March 15: 9 p.m. - 7 a.m. (March 16)
• Saturday March 16: 12 p.m.-7 a.m. (March 17)
• Sunday March 17: 12 p.m. – 7 a.m. (March 18)

University residence no guest policy

All residences will be closed to guests throughout the St. Patrick’s Day weekend and security increased. A Big Breakfast brunch will be offered on March 16 and 17 at Leonard and Jean Royce dining halls. Hospitality Services will also give away chips and drinks.

Substance-free alternative programming is planned all weekend, in addition to the university hosting the 2024 U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship Tournament from March 14-17, which offers a fun option and community-building opportunity to cheer on the Gaels!

UDSI and Nuisance Party bylaws

The UDSI is in effect from 12 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024 until Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

The City of Kingston has continued using Administrative Monetary Penalties, in addition to the Provincial Offences Act, for most offences under the UDSI and Nuisance Party bylaws. Penalties can range from $50 to $2,000 depending on the offence. Those individuals who are found to have violated local bylaws may also be sanctioned under the Queen’s University Student Code of Conduct. Neighbours who experience or witness concerning behaviours are advised to notify the police.

The weekend already promises to be a busy one on campus. The volleyball tournament will bring athletes and spectators from various universities to Queen’s. Plans are in place for increased vigilance at the competition venues with security watching for any signs of open alcohol on the premises. 

Note: This article originally appeared in the Queen's Gazette.