Tips for Surviving UIUC's Unofficial

As everyone at UIUC may know, March 1st at the University of Illinois is the Unofficial holiday.  For those of us that are new to it, here are some tips to help save you from an unwanted drinking ticket.

1. School comes first: Drinking is a major part of Unofficial, but drinking before classes probably isn’t your best bet.  For one thing, security around major lecture halls will be tight, and second, most people are here for a higher education, and that should always come before alcohol.  Plus, it’s really not that big of a deal to wait until classes end to start drinking, and you won’t regret it in the long run.
2. Keep it off the streets: Of course drinking is bound to happen, but the less you are out and about, the less likely you are to get a drinking ticket.  Frat hopping probably isn’t a great idea, and if you must walk somewhere, be sure to follow all rules of the road, this includes avoiding jaywalking, as this in itself is a large fine if you are caught and ticketed.
3. Take it slow: Although it may seem fun to show off how much you can drink in a short amount of time, this is most likely going to get you into trouble, either with the law or with someone else.  Sexual assault is no joking matter, and so being aware of your surroundings, especially on a night where everyone else may not be, is a very good idea.
4. Follow the rules:  Each dorm at U of I is taking special precautions this year, and their rules are put in strict effect, so making sure to abide by these rules is important.  The rules may seem too strict, but they have all been put in place for a reason, and one night of drinking is not worth losing your housing for the year.

Unofficial is a time meant for college students to have fun, but safety should always be a concern.  Keeping with the policies set by U of I and the university housing is your best bet for getting through the weekend unscathed.  Happy partying!