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Safety Tips
Make smart choices.
On March 17, we strongly encourage our students to make smart choices and engage in safe and respectful behaviours. We want to ensure our Laurier community and broader community are safe. The university, police, and the city urge you not to take part in any large, unsanctioned street gatherings. Keep it small, keep it safe. Remember to respect your neighbours, our community, and your peers.
Here are a few things you should know related to the Waterloo campus:
- March 17 is a regular school day. Classes, labs, tutorials and tests are running as scheduled. You are expected to attend. Please also be considerate of fellow students who are studying or writing exams.
- There will be enhanced security personnel and they will not allow anyone who is inebriated to enter classes or academic buildings. Buildings on the Waterloo campus will have controlled access from 12:01 a.m. Friday, March 17 to Sunday, March 19. Building entrances facing Bricker Avenue, Albert Street, University Avenue and King Street will have restricted access. You can access all buildings from the interior of campus by using your OneCard.
- Dates to parking restrictions have changed. On street parking on Ezra Street and Clayfield Avenue is prohibited from 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 13 to Monday, March 20 and may result in a ticket and tow at the owner’s expense. On street parking on Bricker Avenue is prohibited from Thursday, March 16 to Sunday, March 19. Please look for no parking signs.
- The west side of Lot 9 (University Stadium) and a portion of Lot 36 (45 Lodge Street) will be closed Friday, March 17. The balance of the white permit parking areas will continue to be available to student permit holders on March 17.
- There is a no guest and wrist band policy for all residences on the Waterloo campus.
- Hospitals in Ontario are currently operating at maximum capacity. Participating in large, unsanctioned street gatherings is dangerous. The risk of injury could mean a long wait in the emergency department and taking limited resources away from others in need.
- In addition to the safety risks, there can be consequences to participating in large, unsanctioned gatherings. See details for fines.
- Remember to download the SAFEhawk app to stay up to date on urgent and important information, including supports and resources around keeping yourself safe. Available for Apple, and Android mobile devices.
Find more information about:
Safety Tips
- Always carry identification with you in case you need assistance and identification is required.
- Look out for your friends. If you see something, say something. If you or a friend need help, ask for it. If you need help:
- download the SAFEHawk app,
- contact Special Constables at 519.885.3333 in Waterloo or 519.770.3778 in Brantford, or
- call 911.
- Stick together, never leave a friend behind and ensure you all make it home safely. Designate one person to make sound decisions and provide help.
- You are accountable for your actions. Violation of laws or university policies are addressed under the Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct in addition to any legal proceedings. Sanctions under the code range from a meeting or restitution for damages to suspension or expulsion.
- Travel safely and whenever possible, walk with at least one friend, in well-lit areas and in view of other pedestrians or motorists. Make use of Foot Patrol by calling 519.886.3668. Be respectful of our neighbours’ homes and properties when travelling to and from events. We are all part of the same community!
Alcohol and Drugs
- If you are of legal age to drink and choose to consume alcohol, drink responsibly, know your limits, pay attention to others’ sexual boundaries and don’t drink and drive. For tips, visit drinksmart.ca/tips.
- If you are of legal age and choose to smoke or consume cannabis, make sure you do so responsibly. Cannabis consumption, including edible products, is not permitted on Laurier property. Learn more about cannabis use.
- Selling alcohol at keg parties is illegal. Charging money for people to consume alcohol, even when promoted as a ‘cleanup fee’ or a ‘bracelet fee,' is still considered selling alcohol under the law.
- If purchasing alcohol, do so from a licensed establishment, be of legal drinking age, drink responsibly, and arrange a safe way home.
Drink Spiking Safety
A night out with your friends should always be a fun experience. But always be aware of the people around you and the drinks you're consuming.
- Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be home.
- When going out try to avoid going alone.
- Be aware of what is going on around you.
- Avoid situations you are uncomfortable with.
- Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust.
- Do not drink something you did not open or see being opened or poured.
- Do not leave your drink unattended.
- Remember: drugs can be put in soft drinks, tea, coffee, etc., as well as alcohol.
- When drinking from a bottle, keep your thumb over the top.
- If you return to your drink and it has been moved, looks different, appears to have been topped-up, or and/or tastes strange do not take a chance – discard it.
- If you begin to feel really drunk after only one or two drinks, seek help from a trusted friend, or a staff member of the establishment. Get to a safe place as soon as possible.
If you are drinking, be aware of your alcohol tolerance. The symptoms of these drugs vary, but victims often report blurred vision and memory loss. Effects can start within minutes of consuming the drink.
Warning signs include:
- Feeling dizzy or faint.
- Feeling sick or sleepy.
- Feeling intoxicated or confused even if you have only had a little alcohol to drink.
- Passing out.
- Waking up feeling uncomfortable and disorientated, with memory blanks of the night before.
If you are with a friend you trust, tell them why you are worried. Get them to help you home but be careful who you trust – statistics suggest 70% of victims know their attacker.
If you are at a bar or restaurant, talk to one of the employees or a manager and ask for help. Don’t let a stranger help you – they could be the person who spiked your drink.
Reporting the Incident
Report the incident to the Laurier Special Constable Service or your local police service as soon as possible. Most of the drugs used leave the body very quickly. The sooner you are tested the more likely the drug is still in your system.
If you fear you have been sexually assaulted while drugged, report it. Have a friend accompany you. Make sure you also visit your doctor or a medical clinic. Never forget the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Access Laurier resources for support.
Consent
- At Laurier we know that it is mandatory, and the bare minimum, to get consent for all sexual encounters. For tips and information about consent, visit consentisgolden.ca/consent website, which gives information on the ways alcohol and drug use impacts people's ability to give and receive consent.
- If you or a friend needs help, ask for it.
- If you see behaviour that is making you feel concerned about sexual violence, engage with CARE:
- Create a distraction,
- Ask Directly,
- Rally others, and
- Extend/seek out support(s).
- Most importantly be an active bystander. If you see something, say something.
- Keep resources handy on your phone by downloading the SAFEHawk app or contact Special Constables at x3333.
Street Behaviour
- Laurier does not condone large unsanctioned gatherings as they are a safety risk to participants, first responders and neighbours
- Consuming alcohol in public areas is prohibited and can result in a $125 ticket.
- Waterloo Regional Police will be patrolling on foot, in cruisers and on bicycles to support safe activities.
- Parking and noise bylaws will be in place.
Fines
- All tenants on a property lease are equally responsible for all activities at their residence.
- Compliance officers will focus on noise issues, public urination, garbage, and property standards.
- It is an offence to:
- Litter or urinate in public (fine: $300).
- Have excessive garbage in your yard (fine: $550).
- Make excessive noise (fine: $490).
- Set off a false fire alarm (fine: $179.11 per hour, per firefighter).