A Halloween message from OHIO’s Dean of Students

The following message was shared with Ohio University students on Oct. 24, 2023.

Dear Students,

From dressing up and spending time with friends, to eating candy and enjoying fall weather, the Halloween season can certainly be an exciting time for all of us, and there are plenty of opportunities for campus and community fun this year – including the City of Athens’ annual Halloween celebration. 

As you plan and attend your celebrations, events and gatherings this week, please remember to do so safely and respectfully, and keep in mind that each of us has a responsibility to look out for one another in order to ensure the holiday can be an enjoyable occasion for everyone. 

Plan ahead and communicate with friends and guests

If you’re planning to attend any Halloween events, make sure you equally make a plan to get home safely while surrounding yourself with friends you trust. 

If you or your roommates plan to have guests in town, regardless of whether you live in a residence hall or off campus, please communicate with them in advance about both the rules for your home and the rules for our community. 

Remember, if you live in a residence hall and will be hosting visitors this weekend, you are personally, and financially, responsible for the actions of your guests who violate any of the rules within OHIO’s Student Code of Conduct and/or the Housing and Residence Life Student Housing Handbook.

Support your fellow Bobcats

Bobcats look out for one another and help support everyone’s well-being. If you see someone who might be in need of medical emergency assistance or could benefit from community support, don’t be afraid to take action. 

As always, if you see something that may put you or others at risk for harm, please reach out to the Ohio University Police Department (740-593-1911) or call 911. 

Help to “Make Respect Visible”

At OHIO, we strive to celebrate each person who makes up our community and “Make Respect Visible” by setting expectations for engaging across differences. Please keep these efforts, and the expectations of the University community, top of mind this year, whether you’re selecting your Halloween costume or engaging with members of the University community or those visiting campus.   

Be good to your future self

Halloween is fun – but risking your safety, and possibly your future, by engaging in unsafe behavior is simply not worth it. Remember, next week is just around the corner, and so is your daily routine, your classes and the application deadlines for those jobs, internships or other opportunities you might be considering. Please be smart and think ahead.

Get involved in activities on campus

Ohio University is hosting a wide range of fun activities this week, including a Halloween Rooftop Double Feature movie event at the Athens City Parking Garage on Thursday evening, Free Popcorn Friday at Baker University Center on Friday and the OHIO Football game against Miami (OH) in Peden Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Additionally, OHIO’s Calendar of University Events has a more complete listing of all the campus activities that will be taking place in the coming days.

Wherever your Halloween festivities take you, please remember that we all have a shared responsibility to uphold the standards of Ohio University and to respect our friends, neighbors and the visitors across our community. 

Thank you for representing Ohio University with pride and for looking out for your fellow Bobcats today, tomorrow and forever.

In Bobcat Pride, 

Kathy Fahl
Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs