Dear students,
I hope you are doing well. It’s hard to believe we have only about one month left in the semester!
I want to thank you for all you’ve done to make this semester possible. We certainly could not have gotten this far nor continued with an in-person experience if it weren’t for your cooperation in following the rules and doing your part to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 for the campus community.
I’m also writing in regard to Halloween weekend.
First and foremost, because of the pandemic this Halloween is unlike any other. In fact, the city of Milwaukee has cancelled Halloween activities, including trick-or-treating. Thus, we are urging you to refrain from gathering and ask you to find socially distanced ways to connect instead.
The Office of Engagement and Inclusion has a number of ways students can connect in safe ways this weekend:
- Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 29: BINGO in the AMU Ballrooms at 9 p.m.
Hosted by Late Night Marquette
- Thursday, Oct. 29, through Monday, Nov. 2: As part of the CEI’s Día de los Muertos events, stop by the AMU rotunda to observe the “Altar de Muertos and the Commemoration for Black Lives.”
Hosted by the Center for Engagement and Inclusion - Friday, Oct. 30:
- Spooky Basket Pick-up in the MUSG Office: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Hosted by MUSG
- Festive Face Paint Tutorial
- Students can pick-up kits between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in AMU 121
- There will be a live Teams tutorial at 8 p.m.
- Spooky Basket Pick-up in the MUSG Office: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Late Night Halloween Headphone Disco in the AMU Ballrooms at 9 p.m.
Hosted by Late Night Marquette
Additionally, please remember that underage drinking and abuse or high-risk use of alcohol and other drugs is counter to Marquette’s values of respect for self, others, property and authority, and often disrupts our ability to treat one another with dignity and respect. This impacts our community’s sense of safety and security, especially for those who choose to abstain.
MUPD and other local law enforcement agencies will have increased patrols over the weekend.
We expect students to be respectful and responsible on campus and off. Laws concerning underage drinking, public intoxication, open containers, illegal substances and public disturbance will be enforced. Students should also download and use MUPD’s safety app, EagleEye, which features one-click location services and direct connection to campus police.
Many of you have gone through bystander intervention and Red Watch Band training — put this training to use if necessary. The university adheres to its Good Samaritan Policy, and we expect students to uphold the community expectations expressed in the Student Conduct Code — respect for self and for others — and to comply with municipal laws. Marquette also has resources available if a community member needs help.
I hope you take these messages seriously and use your best judgment, not just this weekend, but always.
I think it’s worth repeating what Dean Quade and I said to you at the beginning of this month in our joint letter:
COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin are at a record high. We don’t say this to scare you, but we do want students to be aware of the grim realities of this virus. It’s important that we take this situation seriously – mainly our responsibility to protect our fellow Marquette and Milwaukee community members.
Please remember to prioritize the health, safety, and dignity of yourself and the Marquette community in your plans. If you plan to wear a costume, think about how you are representing yourself. Someone’s culture is not a costume.
Thank you for continuing to Be The Difference. We Are Marquette!
Sincerely,
Dr. Xavier A. Cole
Vice President for Student Affairs