With Halloween comes an increase in party activity on and off campus. While students want to have fun, the importance of health and safety also comes into play. CWU might not be the biggest party school, but parties still occur. 

Niche, an online data site, gives CWU a B- for the party scene. Based on 35 responses to a poll, asking what the biggest party event of the year was, 43% of people said Halloween. Based on 71 responses to a poll asking what the party scene on campus was like, 28% of people said there was none. 

Sgt. Jeffrey St. John, from CWU Police Department, said that there is not much of a party scene on campus. The police department rarely has to respond to noise complaints, according to St. John. 

If there is a noise complaint, the police have to witness the noise and what time it comes on. After that the police contact the party and try to resolve the issue. Fines for noise violations are rarely given on campus, but they will be enforced if the issue is not resolved. In the residence halls, if a student is too loud after 10 p.m., a fine of $250 to $1000 can be given. 

Noise complaints are not the only way police get notified of a party going on, according to St. John. Sometimes a police officer will see a gathering of people which alerts them that a party is most likely going on. Parties on campus do not just happen on weekends, but during the week as well, according to St. John. 

Dalijah Boldien, a freshman majoring in biology, thinks some parties at CWU are fun but some are boring. Half of the time there are too many people and they are crowded. She has gotten noise complaints before, but said there are not many parties on campus, just off campus. 

Boldien goes to parties every once in a while, but not many of them get shut down. She likes going to parties to hangout with friends, dance and have a fun time. She is excited to attend Halloween parties and dress up in costumes. 

“Know your limits and if you go with a friend group stay with them,” Boldien said. “Have a plan of what you are going to do after.”

St. John said the north end of Ellensburg usually has the most parties going on. Extra Ellensburg Police patrols are on the lookout for parties on Halloween, according to St. John. His advice for college students who want to party is to be responsible. If you are not 21, do not drink. Just stay home and study.

Faith Pina, a freshman majoring in elementary education, does not consider CWU a party school. She thinks CWU is very laid back and chill. 

“You have to know people to go to parties,” said Pina.

Pina has gotten a noise complaint before, but said the residence halls are not very noisy. The only Halloween party she plans on attending is for the CWU Dance Team. She would like to attend more parties in the future, but she wants to be smart about it. 

“Definitely control what you are taking, have a plan with your friends and don’t do drugs,” Pina said.

When it comes to alcohol consumption, there are a lot of risks. Low alcohol consumption can impair a person’s judgement and coordination, according to a Wellness Center pamphlet. Low to moderate doses of alcohol can increase aggression. Moderate to high doses can cause impairments to mental functions and alter a person’s ability to remember information and learn. Very high doses can cause depression and even death, according to a Wellness Center pamphlet.

If you are a minor in possession, you can be fined up to $5,000 and get up to a year in jail, according to a Wellness Center pamphlet. The same consequence is given if you give alcohol to someone under 21, purchase alcohol while under 21 or provide an ID to a minor that they can buy alcohol with.