In preparation for the 89th annual Roundup this weekend, the Texas Interfaternity Council is taking extra steps to make sure attendees are safe and informed about resources available to them.
The council said it teamed up with organizations such as Not On My Campus, CORE Water and American Campus to create a safer environment for Roundup. Not On My Campus, which aims to educate on and prevent sexual assault, is offering information and resources to students online, while CORE Water and American Campus will be distributing water and “sober packs,” which consist of sunscreen, snacks and water.
Mechanical engineering senior Gabriela Kackley has been to Roundup in the past and said the implementation of these programs is important.
“Knowing that there is more education and emphasis on how to spot and prevent assault will help those attending feel more secure,” Kackley said in an email. “As far as the water and snacks go, I think it’s super important as most frats don’t have any accessible water during (Roundup), potentially endangering students.”
Aside from these partnerships, the council is making Code 4 — an organization that provides public safety services — available for fraternities to purchase for their events. Nathan Carlson, vice president of communications for the council, said this year’s biggest change was increasing awareness about the medical services and the Sobering Center in downtown Austin, which provides shelter for intoxicated people until they are picked up by family members or friends.
“We wanted to make the Sobering Center resource better known,” aerospace engineering junior Carlson said. “Having (medical care) available to chapters … is another thing that’s just an added layer of safety for people.”
Rhonda Patrick, executive director at the center, said dealing with an intoxicated person can be dangerous. In these situations, she said asking EMS or law enforcement to take individuals to the Sobering Center is important.
“Law enforcement and EMS, they all know we are here, they bring us people all the time,” Patrick said. “If the law enforcement or EMS or someone else asks you to take care of an intoxicated person, we don’t want you to do that … we want you to say, ‘No, they have to go to the Sobering Center.’”
Carlson encourages Roundup attendees to stay updated about resources available to them if a potentially dangerous situation arises.
“Building a structure for Roundup to be safe is our number one priority,” Carlson said. “We can make sure that Roundup is a fun time, but more importantly that everyone stays safe.”
