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St. Patrick's Day
This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, we remind all students to celebrate the holiday responsibly and safely. Cal Poly and the city of San Luis Obispo are working together to enforce all laws and policies.
Enforcement & Fines | On-Campus Events | Health & Safety
Criminal activity and violations of university policy will not be tolerated.
- Police will increase enforcement on campus, in the residence halls and in the nearby neighborhoods.
- The city of San Luis Obispo will double fines for violations.
- Warnings will not be issued for parties. Expect a $1,000 fine instead.
- Charges for damages in University Housing facilities will be doubled.
Out-of-town guests should not plan to come here.
- No guests will be allowed in on-campus housing.
- No overnight visitor parking will be available on campus.
Students who violate the law or university policies will be held accountable.
- The city of San Luis Obispo and SLOPD will report all student arrests and citations to Cal Poly for student conduct investigations.
Spend St. Patrick's Day at a music festival on campus.
- Cal Poly is hosting a free event, "Morning On the Green — A Mustang Music Festival," on Saturday, March 15, for students to spend time together and celebrate the holiday on campus.
- Students can enjoy music, food and fun, all while being at a lower risk of harming themselves or violating campus and city laws.
Enforcement & Fines
What Happens in SLO Stays on Your Record
- Students and visitors who break the law will be held accountable.
- Cal Poly students who invite guests who break the law may also be held liable for their guests’ behavior.
- San Luis Obispo Police will report all crimes and violations occurring off campus to Cal Poly’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities to be addressed through the student conduct process.
No Guests in University Housing March 13-18
- Guests will not be allowed in Cal Poly University Housing for St. Patrick’s Day starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 13, through 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 18.
- If you don’t live here, you won’t be allowed in — including students who live in other on-campus residence halls and apartments.
- Guests will be required to leave.
- Students will not be able to purchase overnight guest parking permits during this time.
- Charges for damages incurred during the no-guest period in University Housing will be doubled.
Campus Road Closures and Parking Enforcement
- The following roads will be closed to through traffic from Friday, March 14 at 10 p.m. through Sunday, March 16 at 6 a.m. (subject to change):
- Grand Avenue at Pacheco Way.
- Village Drive at Perimeter Road.
- Village Drive at Via Carta.
- No overnight visitor parking will be allowed.
- No visitor parking permits will be sold from Thursday, March 13 at 10 p.m. through Monday, March 17 at 7 a.m.
- From March 13–16, on-campus residents with a valid residential parking permit will be able to access campus parking structures. Staff will be stationed at each entrance to verify permits—please expect delays. For smoother access, we recommend entering campus via Highland Blvd.
- Commuter permit holders will have access to campus parking on March 13–14. All commuter lots will close at 10 p.m. on March 14.
SLO Safety Enhancement Zones
- The city Safety Enhancement Zone will be in effect March 7-10 and March 14-18.
- Friday, March 7 at midnight to Monday, March 10 at 7 a.m.
- Friday, March 14 at midnight to Tuesday, March 18 at 7 a.m.
- Fines for noise, unruly gathering, public urination and open container are doubled. A first violation for noise, public urination and open container will be $700, a first violation for unruly gathering will be $1,000.
On-Campus Events
Morning On the Green — A Mustang Music Festival
Join your friends at a free event from 4-9 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Cal Poly Sports Complex Lower Fields. It will be open to anyone 18 and older. Check back for more details and ticket information.
Campus Health and Wellbeing Events
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Check in with PULSE to learn about alcohol overdose and when to call for help, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 13, on the Health Center Lawn. You can also pick up Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdose.
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Stop by the PULSE St. Patrick's Day Wellness Booth outside 1901 Marketplace from 5-6:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15 for snacks, water and alcohol safety trivia. Learn signs of alcohol overdose and ways to reduce risk.
- Grab snacks and water from 5-6:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15 from the PULSE Wellness Wagon. Find it roaming around near the UU and Vista Grande.
Neighborhood Clean-Up
Join Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Center for Service in Action for a St. Patrick's Day Neighborhood Clean-Up from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 16.
Health & Safety
Safe Observation Space
A Safe Observation Space (SOS) sobering center will be located at the Multi Activity Center in room 170 of the Recreation Center (No. 43) from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15.
- The SOS is a temporary sobering center for those who are intoxicated but breathing and conscious. If an individual is unconscious or having difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1.
- Receiving services at the SOS is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that protects patients' health information. Individual student information will not be shared with the student conduct office.
If you choose to celebrate, do it safely, responsibly and respectfully.
- Be mindful of behavior that impacts the safety and well-being of your communities and neighbors.
- Plan for safe transportation.
- Stay with a friend, and plan a meet-up spot in advance in case you get separated.
- Charge your phone before going out.
- Eat and stay hydrated.
- Stick to one alcoholic drink or less per hour and avoid hard liquor.
- Don’t leave any drink unattended.
- Don’t mix substances.
Campus Messages
Jan. 24: University Housing Shares Heads Up on St. Patrick's Day
Residents,
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Cal Poly and the City of San Luis Obispo are working together to make sure it’s a safe and responsible time for everyone. Here’s what you need to know:
- Guest Policy (March 13-18): No guests allowed in University Housing during this time. Only residents can enter their assigned buildings, and we’ll be checking IDs to make sure we’re keeping our communities for residents only.
- Quiet Hours: Quiet hours will be strictly enforced — Sunday to Thursday (11 p.m. to 8 a.m.) and Friday to Saturday (1 a.m. to 10 a.m.). Expect staff, student leaders, and uniformed personnel walking around residential areas to make sure things stay quiet.
- Safety & Fines: Be mindful of behavior that impacts the safety and well-being of our communities and residents. University Housing damage charges will be doubled during this period.
Violations of campus and housing policy will be reported to Cal Poly’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and will be addressed through the student conduct process.
We encourage study breaks as a way to recharge in ways that are safe and respectful, and also support you in finishing the quarter strong.
Feb. 5: Housing Scoop Newsletter to Campus Residents
St. Patrick’s Day policies in effect March 13-18.
Guest Policy: No guests allowed in University Housing. Only residents can enter their assigned buildings.
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours will be strictly enforced — expect staff, student leaders, and uniformed personnel walking buildings to make sure things stay quiet.
Safety & Fines: University Housing damage charges will be doubled.
Learn more at Cal Poly's St. Patrick's Day webpage.
Feb. 17: Important St. Patrick's Day Reminders from the Dean of Students
Dear Students,
I’m writing to give you a heads up on the university’s plans for St. Patrick’s Day and to remind you of our community expectations and the importance of making safe, responsible choices. You are responsible for knowing what is expected of you, regardless of whether you read this email, or any other correspondence sent your way.
While many of you may celebrate, please understand that disruptive or unsafe behavior can result in serious consequences, including arrest and university conduct action. Simply put — don’t test your luck. It’s not worth the fine or the headache.
TLDR: Visit the Dean of Students website for all you need to know about St. Patrick’s Day.
Visit the Dean of Students Website
No Guests in University Housing
To support a safe and respectful living environment, no guests will be allowed in Cal Poly residence halls from 8 p.m. Thursday, March 13, to 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 18. This applies to all outside visitors and students from other on-campus housing communities. Be prepared to show your student ID for entry.
No overnight guest parking permits will be available, and access to campus, including residence halls, will be restricted.
City Safety Enhancement Zone
If you live off campus, be aware that the city of San Luis Obispo will enforce a Safety Enhancement Zone from March 7-10 and again from March 14-18, doubling fines for violations such as noise disturbances, unruly gatherings and public intoxication. Fines start at $700, with unruly gathering citations beginning at $1,000.
Additionally, University Housing damage charges will be doubled.
San Luis Obispo police will report all student arrests and citations to Cal Poly for student conduct review.
Road Closures and Parking Restrictions
From 10 p.m. Friday, March 14, through 6 a.m. Sunday, March 16, the following roads will be closed:
- Grand Avenue at Pacheco Way.
- Village Drive at Perimeter Road.
- Village Drive at Via Carta.
No overnight parking will be allowed (campus residents can still park in their designated lot). No visitor parking permits will be sold from 10 p.m. Thursday, March 13, through 7 a.m. Monday, March 17. If you or your guests plan to park on or near campus, make sure to review these restrictions in advance. There will be designated parking for the music festival.
Student Conduct Accountability
We want to be clear — these policies are in place for your safety and the well-being of our community. There will be increased security on campus and a heightened police presence in neighboring off-campus areas. If you choose to disregard the law and university policies and are referred to OSRR for a conduct violation, common excuses will not exempt you from responsibility:
- “My friends booked travel months ago.” You had ample notice to reschedule.
- “They weren’t visiting for St. Patrick’s Day.” The no-guest policy applies regardless.
- “Everyone else was doing it.” Not everyone participates, and harmful traditions end now — consider joining the special event aimed at creating new traditions.
Violating the code of conduct, such as possession of alcohol or drugs, public intoxication, or causing damage to university property, could result in sanctions. These include restitution, disciplinary probation, suspension or more.
Music Festival on Campus
Consider attending Morning on the Green — A Mustang Music Festival, hosted by the university, from 4-9 a.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Sports Complex Lower Fields. It will be open to anyone 18 and older, but a Cal Poly student will need to claim tickets. More information will be posted online as it’s available.
Making Safe Choices
We recognize that celebrations look different for everyone. If you choose to participate in St. Patrick’s Day festivities, make safety your priority:
- Respect Your Community: Keep gatherings small, manage noise and clean up.
- Be an Upstander: Step in or call for help if a situation doesn’t seem right.
- Use Campus Safety Resources:
- Rave Guardian App connects you with Cal Poly Police and Mustang Patrol.
- Mustang Patrol offers safety walks (Thursdays from 7-11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m.-2 a.m.). Call 805-756-2281.
- Mustang Shuttle runs daily with evening service 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
- A Safe Observation Space (SOS) sobering center will be open on campus March 15. Visit the Dean of Students website for details.
Additional Safety Tips
Whether you’re celebrating or not, looking out for yourself and your fellow Mustangs is always important. Keep these key tips in mind:
- Plan ahead for safe transportation.
- Stay with friends and never leave a drink unattended.
- Stay hydrated, eat, and pace yourself.
Finally, many of your peers will spend this weekend preparing for finals or celebrating in low-key ways. I encourage you to share this message with a parent or supporter so they can help you make informed decisions. Additional information can be found on the Dean of Students website.
Stay safe, look out for one another, and make choices you’ll be proud of. Wishing you a safe and healthy St. Patrick’s Day.
Sincerely,
David Groom, Ph.D.
Interim Dean of Students
Personal Safety Resources and Links
- Rave Guardian: Turn your smartphone into a personal safety device. Download the free app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
- Request a safety walk with Mustang Patrol by calling Cal Poly Police Dispatch at 805-756-2281 or through the Rave Guardian app.
- Mustang Shuttle runs from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. seven days a week. Download the app to track the shuttle locations.
- Learn about the City of SLO's enforcement measures for the holiday at Respect SLO.
- University Housing residents are expected to make mature, responsible, and respectful choices as individuals and a community. Review University Housing policies.
- University Housing reserves the right to prohibit guests at any time based upon operational and/or public health needs. Review Overnight guest information for more details.
