sungod news - Current Students

April/May 2015
SUNGOD NEWS
things YOU will be expected to know
Sun God Festival
2015
In accordance with UCSD
Single Undergraduate
Residential Housing Contract,
everyone who chooses to live
in our residential communities
must abide by the rules and
regulations of UCSD, which
includes the Housing and
Residential Life policies. These guidelines are here to establish a safe and
secure living environment and to support success as a UCSD student.
The goals of these policies reflect the efforts of the Sun God Health and Safety
Task Force to ensure the health and safety of the UCSD community and
preserve the tradition of the Sun God Festival for the future. Specifically, the
Housing and Residential Life Policy regarding “Guest Visitation” states, “During
the Sun God Festival and other special events, limitations and/or restrictions on
guest visitation may be
implemented.”
Goals of the
Residential Guest Policy
2015 Sun God Festival Residential
Guest Policy
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On the 4 days leading up to the 2015 Sun God Festival, residents will not be
allowed to host guests in their residence over the following hours: 8:00 PM on
Thursday(4/30/15) to 8:00 AM on Friday (5/01/15), 8:00 PM Friday (5/01/15) to
8:00 AM on Saturday (5/02/15) and 8:00 PM on Saturday (5/02/15) to 8:00AM on
Monday (5/04/15).
To address the high numbers of visitors who have historically gathered at each of
the seven residential areas during the festival, a “residents-only” policy in all
seven neighborhoods will be strictly enforced. During the time period stated
above, only residents currently assigned to living spaces will be allowed in these
respective neighborhoods.
Additionally, every on-campus resident will be held to the Housing and
Residential Life policy on responsibly hosting “gatherings,” regardless of whether
alcohol is present. Residents are responsible for ensuring that attendance at a
gathering does not exceed two (2) guests per resident of the room/apartment.
Hosting of multiple room gathers or where people move from one room to another
will be closely monitored.
For the purposes of this policy during Sun God, a “resident” is defined as a
person who is assigned to a specific room/apartment in a given residential area.
A “guest” is anyone not assigned to that room/suite/apartment.
To that end, the majority of the 2014 Sun God Residential Guest Policy will remain in
place for the 2015 Sun God Festival, with recommended changes that can
be found by visiting studentconduct.ucsd.edu.
RAP was
introduced to
UCSD in 2012-13.
during Sun God
1. To assist the university to efficiently handle any
situations in the living areas over the 4 days of the
weekend of the 2015 Sun God Festival.
2. To address the level of health and safety issues
that occur outside of the festival venue.
3. To lower the level of risk in the residential areas
and mitigate risk for the safety of all residents.
4. To ensure that residents who choose to stay in
their living areas during the festival or choose to not
attend the festival can enjoy a calmer, safer, and
more secure environment where they live.
Myths vs. FACTS
MYTH: Alcohol consumption is high, but it’s not all that serious. Students know how to pace
themselves and handle their intake.
FACT: Alcohol consumption has resulted in not only rising detox admittance, but also 48
hospitalizations during the 2012-2013 academic year. A handful of these were near death and nearly
all were due to heavy, rapid consumption of hard liquor.
MYTH: Cutting guest tickets is ridiculous! They provide invaluable funding for the event, and at no
significant cost. It doesn’t make any sense!
FACT: Despite comprising only 15% of all attendees, guests account for up to 42% of all detox
admittances and 48% of all arrests.
MYTH: Alcohol consumption should be expected at Sun God Festival. There’s no difference between
the celebrations now and those of years past.
FACT: Actually, alcohol consumption has risen incredibly over the years. In just the past three
festivals, detox admittances rose from 69 to 95, and
alcohol violations from 87 to 148.
MYTH: It’s Sun God Festival, so anything goes!
Enforcement officials and authorities won’t do anything.
They can’t do anything!
FACT: A blind eye won’t be turned to irresponsible actions.
146 arrests were made during the 2013 Sun God Festival,
outnumbering and outpacing those made at Coachella and
EDC.
Did You Know?
In 2014, Detox Admissions returned to 2013 levels which coincides with the introduction of the
policy to not offer guest tickets.
MYTH: Wristbands run out in an instant and don’t nearly
account for all UC San Diego students. So many students
miss out on this event!
FACT: Wristbands were available to 17,000 of 24,129
students during 2012-2013 academic year. During the
2013-2014 academic year, the number of wristbands
increased to 20,000, nearly matching the total number of university undergraduates.
Wishes for a SAFE and fun Sun God Festival!