Photos by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications

Safe for Sun God: Ten Tips for Students Attending this Year’s Festival

The Sun God Festival is one of UC San Diego’s most anticipated student events, and this year it will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. As students gear up for the festival, organizers are working to ensure all attendees are informed with regard to having fun, acting responsibly and reducing risky behavior.

“Health and safety is a top priority for the festival,” said Juan González, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “The efforts of staff and students include increased education and programming around the festival which focuses on drug and alcohol safety as well as sexual assault prevention.”

González added, “We know that a majority of students attending the festival act responsibly; however too many high-risk activities have occurred at past Sun God events. The future of this event has always been in the hands of the students. Therefore they must act responsibly and safely at Sun God and help their friends do the same.”

This year’s Sun God headliner is four-time Grammy Award nominated artist Miguel, who has won critical acclaim for albums such as, “All I Want Is You,” “Kaleidoscope Dream” and “Wild Heart.” Other artists at the festival include the international music duo Niko and Vinz and acoustic-folk/pop-rock artists Paradise, among others.

The bystander intervention training program that was launched in 2014 was expanded at UC San Diego and is now active all year round. Called “Floaties,” these volunteers inform students about safe ways to engage in festivals and social events, giving scientific and factual information about alcohol and drugs, as well as instruction on how to be a responsible bystander all year long. More thab 1,000 students have gone through the training program this year, and these students will help their friends “stay afloat” at the Sun God Festival and all throughout the year.

To register for Sun God, students must participate in a brief, interactive online program to learn about drinking habits featuring last year’s Sun God Festival goers and set goals to moderate their own drinking, if they choose to drink alcohol.

According to Karen Calfas, executive director of Student Health and Well-being, the program was specifically modified for the Sun God Festival and was first developed at San Diego State University.

“The interactive online program uses evidence-based approaches to moderate alcohol intake,” said Karen Calfas, executive director of Student Health and Well-Being . “Students will identify a ‘safer’ level of drinking personalized to their own weight and gender. If students chose to drink alcohol on the day and evening of the Sun God Festival, they should set a goal to drink safely.”

Educational campaigns have been a key component to this year’s festival. The following are 10 health and safety tips for students before attending Sun God. Learn more at: sgf.ucsd.edu/safety.

1. You don’t have to drink to have a good time at the Sun God Festival. But if you do choose to: Eat before, during and after the event. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Don’t take (or give) unwanted peer pressure. Keep track of the number of drinks you have. Determine in advance the number of drinks you will consume and do not exceed that amount.
2. Be a responsive bystander: Sexual assaults are never the fault of the survivor, and keeping UC San Diego safe is a community responsibility. You can help prevent sexual assault by being aware of common behaviors that often precede an assault, and taking action as a responsive bystander if you see those behaviors happening.
3. Definition of consent: Receive affirmative consent from your partner before engaging in sexual activity. This means an informed verbal “YES.”
4. Do NOT mix drugs and alcohol. There is no way to anticipate how your body will react to the mixture, and the reaction could be very serious.
5. Never drink and drive: A.S. Safe Rides is a free service provided by the Associated Students to currently enrolled UC San Diego undergraduate students who have completed the online Safe Rides registration. You must register by 5 p.m. on April 29 and have your UC San Diego ID card to use the Safe Rides service for Sun God.
6. Safety is a No. 1 priority on the field: Festival safety staff will wear clearly identifiable uniforms. First Aid stations will be available throughout the venue. There will be free water at two fill-up locations for any attendee with a reusable, non-glass bottle.
7. Watch over your friends and peers: If you see someone in medically dangerous conditions, do not be afraid to reach out to a security guard, police officer, event staff or event volunteer to ask for help. Your health and safety is our first priority!
8. Learn about Responsible Action Protocol (RAP): This protocol protects students who receive (or initiate) medical assistance in an alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergency. It applies if no other major Student Conduct Code violations were committed by the student during the same incident, and the student has not received protection under this protocol more than once in a two-calendar-year period. Visit rap.ucsd.edu for more information.
9. Important contacts: For help: Call (858) 534-HELP or ask for help from the nearest security guard or staff member. The Responsible Action Protocol (RAP) may keep you from getting in trouble. In addition, CARE at the Sexual Assault Resource Center is a confidential and free resource for all students, staff and faculty affected by sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking. If you or a friend needs to speak with a confidential CARE advocate, call (858)-534-5793.
10. Non-UC San Diego-affiliated guests will not be allowed into the Sun God Festival, nor be allowed to stay in residential areas during the weekend of the Festival (April 28 – April 30). Additionally, only residents are allowed in their respective residential areas during specified time periods during the weekend of the Sun God Festival. Please refer to your RA or Residential Life Office for more information on these policy changes and time period.