Dear U of G students,
This weekend’s Homecoming is an opportunity for us all to show our pride in the University of Guelph.
When you joined U of G, you became part of a larger community both on and off campus. This weekend, please remember that your actions affect those around you. Be respectful of your neighbours and be aware that large parties can create unsafe environments. Look out for yourself and each other.
Throughout Homecoming, Campus Safety Officers will be closely monitoring campus, and Guelph City Police will be patrolling neighbourhoods to address large gatherings and ensure the safety of our students and our community.
Many university cities across Ontario experience large, unsanctioned gatherings that are disruptive to the people who live nearby. The University of Guelph does not condone these gatherings and will not tolerate unsafe or disrespectful behaviour. As you celebrate Homecoming, be safe and be mindful of your neighbours.
Celebrate safely
Homecoming is a time to be with friends and for the U of G community to come together and have fun in a responsible way. We strongly encourage students to take advantage of the following safety tools to enjoy a fun and respectful weekend:
- Party registration – Sign up for a one-on-one consultation about hosting a safe event. Register basic information about your party and get advice on bylaws, how to prevent parties from getting out of control, what to do if that happens, how to avoid fines and how to communicate with law enforcement.
- Safe Gryphon app – This app provides a personal safety tool kit including Friend Walk that lets you share your location in real time with a friend as you walk to your destination.
- Late Night bus – The Central Student Association and the City of Guelph have partnered to offer late-night bus service between 1 and 3 a.m. Get picked up at the University Centre or the Guelph Central Station and dropped off at any stop on the available routes. Your bus pass is linked to your Campus Card.
If you’re choosing other ride share options like Uber or Lyft, make sure to check that the licence plate matches your booking and have the driver confirm your name before getting into the vehicle.
- Safe Party Session – On Thursday, stop by Peter Clark Hall and grab a free party kit with snacks and resources. Learn how to keep yourself and others safe while partying. Check out the wellness_uofg account on Instagram for more advice.
As a reminder, campus residences have a no-guest policy this weekend. Residence access is permitted to only residents of the building.
Students should also be aware of the University’s Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct and its application to incidents both on and off campus.
I encourage you to remember your Gryphon Values this weekend and to celebrate responsibly.
Sincerely,
Irene Thompson
Interim Vice-Provost (Student Affairs)