Keep playing it safe now so we can be together again soon.
At U-M, we strive to have a caring community and that means not encouraging others to engage in behavior that may cause them harm. Please be mindful, especially while considering COVID-19 prevention, that alcohol can lower inhibitions and impair decision-making.
If you plan to gather socially, be sure to Socialize Safely. Learn the latest guidance on gathering size limits, effective March 15 - April 19, 2021, and continue to practice these COVID-19 prevention strategies.
- Maintain a distance of 6 feet from others
- Wear masks
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Stay home when you are sick
You can watch a video from the U-M Students Vlog on Socializing Safety this Spring.
Conversations about individual choices and community well-being can be tricky during this time. Keep in mind these tips for Compassionate Conversations.
To report a public health concern, please call 734-647-3000, Thursday-Saturdays, noon - midnight. This COVID Concerns Reporting Line allows community-based public health concerns to be addressed via a system that has been designed to reduce the need for law enforcement as a first response.
What's happening on campus?
We’ve got you covered, from UMix to Weekly Wanders to an Alternative Well-being Break.
Find Events & Activities
for St. Patrick's
And there's a lot more opportunities too! Don't forget to cheer for our amazing men's basketball team during March Madness by creating brackets and having virtual watch parties!
What would your Best Experience look like at this moment in time?
It takes more than luck for a great time. Consider these tips as you make your plan.
For safety:
- Make a plan for getting home safely, via e.g. free Late Night Transportation provided by U-M, designated driver, Lyft, any way that doesn't put you or anyone else at risk.
- Watch out for your friends and talk to them about doing the same for you.
- Expect Respect: Behave with integrity and consideration for others. No one gets a pass for bad behavior.
- Hosting a darty or other event? Check out:
- How much is too much?
- Know the signs of an Alcohol Emergency
- Be aware that the State of Michigan provides for Medical Amnesty to remove perceived barriers to calling for or seeking help
- Get familiar with the laws so you can avoid trouble.
Stay in the Blue: In general, the color green on the U-M campus is strongly discouraged but there is one day that the maize and blue seems to fade out with shades of green. This exception is St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish national holiday which has increasingly become associated with uncontrolled levels of drinking and public intoxication.
This behavior is far from the true spirit of the holiday and can often have implications that students don’t even realize. Aside from the negative health and legal outcomes that are associated with risky drinking, such as memory loss, hangovers and MIPs, there are certain social consequences that are often missed in the hype.
Thousands of U-M students choose not to drink, whether it is due to personal, legal, religious or sobriety reasons, consider how your “hype” may affect their shared environment. And most students who do drink stick to 0-4 drinks. Challenge your assumptions and be mindful of your tone and expectations as you consider engaging in St. Patrick’s Day events.
If you choose to drink, Stay in the Blue to get what you want while avoiding the stuff you don't want. Helpful tips include:
- Eat, especially food with staying power, i.e. with some fat or protein, and stay hydrated -- this one's easy: just drink water.
- Count and track the number of drinks, so you know what you've consumed. Not keeping track is one of the main reasons for an event to go awry. Try the free Stay in the Blue app to track drinks.
Pause before you post: Consider what you post on social media and make publicly available. How do you communicate positive messages that promote community? Who do you follow and do they align with your values?
Whether you plan to Stay in the Blue or go a little green, keep these things in mind and find a way to celebrate in a safe, healthy and fun way for all!