Carnival season is here in New Orleans and Tulane University is preparing for the parties with plans for student safety.
According to Michael Strecker, assistant vice president for communication, Tulane will have enhanced security measures in place from Feb. 11 through Feb. 17. Beginning Feb. 12, the university will utilize additional personnel, vehicles, no-parking zones and barricades to manage Mardi Gras crowds on Broadway Street and ensure homeowners maintain full access to their property.
“One of the larger risks from an emergency preparedness perspective for any event of this magnitude is the amount of people Carnival draws into the city,” Ph.D. student in environmental health sciences Summyr Burton said. “Local, state and federal agencies come together to ensure there are effective plans and adequate resources in place to maintain safety and security against potential threats.”
Additional safety reminders included sharing live locations with friends, avoiding riding in the back of pickup trucks or U-Hauls and understanding that public urination and trespassing are arrestable offenses.
“Mardi Gras requires an all hands on deck approach,” Burton said. “Our local agencies, universities and health organizations take on major roles and responsibilities to keep our city safe, clean and healthy.”
With more than 1 million people traveling to the city for Mardi Gras, the chances of danger are raised. Tulane’s emergency services team is on high alert through the Carnival season and have begun spreading awareness to students by handing out Narcan to Greek Life organizations.
For students that are hosting a guest in their dormitory, the guest must be registered with the school. Beyond all the travel expenses and event tickets, guests must now pay $150 to stay in the dorm.
The $150 guest band contributes to increased residence hall staffing, security personnel and access control measures during the weekend. Tulane has also implemented enhanced monitoring to manage the significant rise in visitors entering on-campus housing.
“I want my friend to be able to stay with me for convenience and cost, so I didn’t really hesitate that much,” sophomore Cassidy Hibbert said. Cassidy lives in the Lake Residence Hall and has had to pay for her visitors’ stay.