At last, it is that special time of year. No, not midterms — spring break.
From the white sands of Destin, Fla., to the deep fjords of Ryfylke, Norway, students at the University of Mississippi are scattering far beyond the Magnolia State. Some are traveling to college classics like Charleston, S.C., or West Palm Beach, Fla. Others are returning home or staying in Oxford.
Some are going farther, including one group traveling to Cancún, Mexico.
For senior business major Sarah Stockett, the decision to travel across the border did not come with certainty.
Stockett planned the trip long before headlines began reporting violent unrest in parts of Mexico after the killing of a drug cartel leader on March 1. When travel advisories and viral videos began circulating, the Madison, Miss., native and her friends started to think twice.
“We tried to reconsider the trip,” Stockett said. “Ultimately, we decided that the tourism industry was a big, important part of Mexico, and there wasn’t too much of a threat for tourists.”
Stockett said they relied on research, news reports and personal connections to make their decision. Friends who lived in or recently visited the area reassured them it was safe.
“It was hard to figure out what to believe because we were seeing lots of fake AI videos about stuff happening in Cancún that was not true,” Stockett said, “It felt like TikTok and everything was exacerbating the situation, when Cancún was, really, very far away from where that unrest was happening.”
Stockett is less concerned about the destination and more worried about the journey along the way.
“I think my biggest concern would be that a new situation would arise or something would change, like an airport would be shut down or a shelter-in-place would happen,” Stockett said. “Right now, I’m not too worried.”
While students are weighing the risks, William Magee Center program manager Alysia Lajune said spring break hazards are common. Substance misuse tops the list of dangers.
“You’re probably on some special vacation, and you want to party and have a good time, so sometimes partying is a little bit amplified on spring break,” Lajune said.
That amplification can come with consequences.
“There’s always a risk of alcohol poisoning, overdose. … Even for those that don’t overuse, just being in an inebriated state can obviously put you at risk for being taken advantage of,” Lajune said.
Students traveling to popular beach destinations face risks.
“You may be more at risk for being assaulted, robbed, just a number of things, especially if you’re going to areas where people expect a flock of college students to start coming in,” Lajune said. “You may have some people that are preying on students that are away from home, away from parents, who might be in a vulnerable state because of intoxication.”
During spring break, students may be more inclined to participate in behavior they would otherwise reconsider. Lajune calls this the “memory-making mindset.”
“It’s this, ‘I wanna make a memory. I wanna have fun,’ (mindset),” Lajune said. “‘I may not drink a lot during the school year, but on spring break … I may be a little bit more open to doing more.”
While students are away from home, local law enforcement sees another concerning pattern during school breaks: unsecured property.
Oxford Police Department Public Information Officer Breck Jones said the most common safety issues involving students involve leaving belongings and residences vulnerable.
“Students should always lock all of their windows and doors, take any valuables out of plain sight and avoid posting that you’re out of town on social media,” Jones said. “If you can, leave a light on, or have a friend or neighbor check on your apartment while you’re gone.”
Jones said planning ahead is the first step.
“Stay aware of your surroundings, don’t abandon your group and never drive while you’re impaired. Always utilize rideshares or designated drivers,” Jones said.
Like Lajune, Jones also has concerns about alcohol misuse.
“The best thing you can do to stay out of trouble is to look up what the local laws and ordinances are of areas that you’re traveling to, like open container laws and where alcoholic beverages are permitted,” Jones said. “If a situation begins to feel unsafe or out of control, leave and go back to your hotel room or condo.”
In an effort to keep Oxonians and UM students safe, the William Magee Center, the Department of Campus Recreation, the UM Nutrition Clinic and University Police Department hosted a “Safe Spring Break” event on Tuesday, March 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the South Campus Recreation Center and Turner Center.
The event promoted student safety ahead of spring break next week and distributed harm-reduction items such as drink-spiking prevention covers, sunscreen, condoms and hydration packs to students.
The event is part of a university-wide initiative to promote student wellness, according to Shannon Richardson, assistant director of wellness education at the Magee Center.
“The inspiration behind ‘Safe Spring Break’ is based on the university’s commitment to student safety, well-being and informed decision-making,” Richardson said. “Spring break often involves travel, celebration and increased independence. While it can be a fun and restorative time, it can also present increased risks related to alcohol use, sexual health, sun safety and personal safety.”
Adequate hydration and nutrition are also crucial on spring break, according to Melinda Valliant, professor of nutrition and hospitality management and director of the UM Nutrition Clinic.
“We emphasize staying hydrated, which requires that we consume adequate fluids, electrolytes and carbohydrates,” Valliant said. “Think sports drinks, water and pretzels, salted watermelon, et cetera.”
Valliant’s best advice to students is to pay attention to the recommendations of the UM Nutrition Clinic and the other campus wellness organizations. Officials involved in the other Safe Spring Break event hosts echoed the same wish.
“We want all Ole Miss students to have a great time on their spring break but make sure to plan ahead and look out for each other,” Jones said. “We want everyone to have fun, but be safe and make it back to Oxford happy and healthy.”
