Laurier urges students to celebrate responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, Wilfrid Laurier University is reminding students about the important role they play in keeping campus and surrounding neighbourhoods safe, welcoming and respectful.

March 17 often brings increased activity across the community, along with pressure to participate in dangerous, unsanctioned street gatherings. Students are encouraged to make choices that prioritize safety – for themselves, their friends and the people who share the city’s spaces. Being a responsible community member means staying aware of your surroundings, respecting property and considering how your actions affect others. There is a heightened concern for student safety on Laurier’s Waterloo campus, and we discourage all students from taking part in these unsanctioned street gatherings.

“Be a positive force in our community: stay safe and look out for one another,” says Dr. Bill Kalirai, chief of emergency medicine with Waterloo Region Health Network. “Since our emergency departments are currently under significant pressure, we ask you to prioritize your safety to help avoid unnecessary hospital visits.”

To support safety across Laurier’s Waterloo campus and in nearby neighbourhoods, several measures will be in place. These include an increased security presence on campus, controlled OneCard access or restricted access to campus buildings, and parking restrictions in surrounding neighbourhoods enforced by the City of Waterloo. These steps are part of a coordinated effort with municipal partners to maintain safety and reduce risks associated with large, unsanctioned street gatherings.

More information about these safety measures, as well as tips for staying safe, is available on Laurier’s safety tips page. Building access and parking details can also be found online. For a list of sanctioned St. Patrick’s Day events, visit the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union website and Instagram page, as well as Laurier’s Student Life Instagram page.

“It is our responsibility to look out for one another and show each other respect this St. Patrick’s Day,” says Ryan Jobby, president of the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union. “Please choose to prioritize the safety of our community and act with consideration.”

Laurier Special Constable Service and Waterloo Regional Police Service have recently visited students to discuss safety, encourage good choices and highlight the consequences of unsafe behaviour.

“If you’re choosing to celebrate, please do so responsibly, look out for one another, and be mindful of your neighbours,” says Taylor Coleman, president and CEO of Laurier’s Graduate Students’ Association. “A little kindness and respect go a long way.”

“Our broader community supports Laurier in many ways,” adds Kate McCrae Bristol, Laurier’s vice-president of Student Affairs. “It’s important that we show that same respect and care in return.”