hitchhiking and the dangers

When faced with little money, dodgy bus timetables and a schedule to keep, what's a LTC/UAEM student to do but hitchhike, right? Wrong! Though hitchhiking has long been romanticized in books and films as the adventure of a lifetime, what these warm and fuzzy presentations forget to mention is what happens when the adventure ends. While missing persons and murder are at the very far end of the danger spectrum, it remains a fact that hitchhiking puts travellers at the mercy of others. Rather than putting yourself in this position, spend your summer in Denton traveling safely on public transportation, registered taxis, or by arranging rideshares from LTC/UAEM staff or volunteers.

Hitchhiking Nightmares
There are very few statistics gathered on the safety of hitchhikers in any given country, but even without numbers to quote it remains obvious that hitchhiking:

• Is illegal in many countries and punishable by fines or imprisonment.
• Increases your risk of injury at the roadside.
• Possibly exposes you to dangerous drivers.
• Requires you to stay alert to your surroundings.
• May leave you stranded in deserted and/or unfamiliar areas.
• May subject you to verbal or other harassment.
• May lead to physical danger.

Alternatives to Hitchhiking
There are a variety of affordable and often accessible options to hitchhiking. Though they may not all be available in each of your destinations, with a little patience you will often be able to find at least one acceptable alternative to hitchhiking. There are many modes of transport on which to travel if you're looking to go off campus such as; public or private buses, registered taxis, bikes, rideshares arranged by LTC/UAEM staff or volunteers, and rental cars.

Emergency Alternatives
Often travelers only consider hitchhiking if they encounter an emergency, such as being robbed and stranded with no access to cash. To eliminate this possibility:

• Keep your cash in several separate locations.
• Consider wearing a money belt.
• Carry a mobile phone at all times.
• Memorize your credit card information.
• Know the emergency contact numbers for your host country.
• Remember that you can always reverse the charges on a call for help.

Hitchhiking Safety
No matter how many warnings they hear, many people will still hitchhike if they find themselves short of cash or during an emergency. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take care to:

• Turn down any ride with which you do not feel comfortable.
• Observe the make, model and registration of the car before getting in.
• Do not accept a ride in a car full of strangers.
• Try to sit up front in the passenger seat.
• Make sure that there are no child safety locks on before you get in a car.
• Keep your bags with you at all time.
• Keep cash and your passport and travel documents on your person.
• Travel with at least one other person. Safety comes in numbers.

Even in the most dire of circumstances, hitchhiking is never an advisable option for responsible travellers. If you find yourself in a position that causes you to consider hitchhiking, whether it be from boredom, lack of cash or impatience with the public transport system, ask yourself if your safety or indeed your life is really worth the risk.

dorm rules

Please see below for a few reminders about dorm rules:

Hoping all are doing well. We are having many people wanting to room together – men and women together, and I cannot do this. First off, The university only houses those that are married, together. Sorry. I am sure last night was really exciting for them and I am sure that all will settle down now. Mozart Hall is the residence hall for summer students. These students must get up early for class. We have what we refer to as “Courtesy Hours” which means when a resident ask a neighbor to turn down a radio or TV or lower their voices, and out of courtesy they normally do.

Then we have quiet hours....from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM residents are to turn their radios and TVs down and such noise or conversations should not be heard from outside the door. This pretty well puts the groups that want to gather and visit, outside in the courtyard but even then – there has to be some control on the noise levels.

Lastly – we have quiet hours for the finals week – which is this week. The halls will exercise quiet hours from 4:00 PM to 10:00 Am for the remainder of this week.

As I said earlier, I believe most of this will work itself out but I may need your help defining the residence hall quiet hours. These are crucial this week as our student complete their 1st summer semester and are now studying for finals.

Thank you for helping me with this point. Santé Fe is a bit different– as this is a conference Hall though our courtesy hours are always in effect and quiet hours are 11PM top 8:00 AM

-- Carolyn