April Long Weekend 2025 Nest Hours

Safer Partying Do’s & Don’ts

Block Party is around the corner and we want you to party safe! Follow these 11 tips to have a good time.

DO:

1. Drink responsibly AND mindfully

Being safe when interacting with substances, including alcohol, is extremely important! Tips like staying hydrated, pacing yourself, and eating before you drink are staple rules to ensure a good night and a good morning (or afternoon, we’re not judging) for the next day. A general rule of thumb: For every standard alcoholic drink, aim for one non-alcoholic drink. Water is your best bet but if you prefer juice or pop, that works too! Electrolyte drinks/packs are also great. You can also try to set a limit for yourself and stay within it, you know yourself best.

2. Test your drugs and practice safer substance use

Test your substances

  • Free Fentanyl Test Strips are available outside of AMS Peer Support (NEST 3125), SASC (NEST 3130), and at the UBC Wellness Centre (LIFE 1400).
  • Get Your Drugs Tested is an organization in Vancouver that tests your substances to check for unexpected potent substances that may be in your substances
  • When testing substances, remember the “Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect”. When testing a substance, you are only testing one small sample of the substance. It’s possible that the sample you test has no potent substances (no chocolate chips), but another portion of the substance does have other substances (chocolate chips).

Know how your substances interact

  • Learn how your substances interact (including caffeine, OTC painkillers, prescription medication, and alcohol): http://www.tripsit.me
  • Avoid mixing substances that can have adverse reactions when taken together. If you’re unsure, it’s best to stick to one substance for the night. Pharmacists and your family physician can also provide guidance about your prescription medications and interactions with other substances.

Practice Safer Substance use

  • Using clean safer substance use supplies can help you avoid infections or other adverse effects. Free safer substance use supplies are available anonymously through AMS Peer Support, place your free order here.
  • Start low and go slow: Pace yourself and listen to your body if you feel unwell.

3. Figure out a safe way home before the event

Safewalk Block Party hours: 9 PM – 3 AM (call 604-822-5355). Campus Security is available outside of these hours for support (604-822-2222).

Spontaneous nights can still be fun with a planned way to go home! Whether it would be to take public transit, using Safewalk (604-822-5355), budgeting for Uber/cab costs, or carpooling home with your sober designated driver, having an idea of how to get home is a great way to make sure you end the night on a good note!

4. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and/or overdose. Be prepared to call 911 or alert event staff.

Signs can include:

  • Cold and sweaty skin
  • Being unconscious or unresponsive
  • Blue or grey lips/nails
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Seizures
  • Slow/irregular breathing (less than 1 breath per 5 second) or heart rate
  • Vomiting (especially for more than 30 minutes in case of alcohol poisoning)

Symptoms can look different for anyone. If you have any doubt, call 911. At Block Party, you can also alert event staff. There will be paramedics on site.

5. Be prepared

This can mean so many things. From carrying safer sex supplies, new and single-use safer substance use supplies (e.g. needles, pipes, straws, etc.), charging your phone or bringing a portable charger, to investing in some ear plugs. There are lots of ways to create a better time for yourself and your friends. At Block Party, AMS Peer Support will have ear plugs, safer sex supplies, fentanyl test strips, and more. You can also visit ams.ubc.ca/peersupport to order your supplies for free in advance. Being prepared can also mean eating before you go out or bringing cash for emergencies.

A safe night looks different for everyone. You can decide what you need for a fun and safe night.

6. Have a buddy with you

Whether it’s for getting home safe (splitting ride-share costs will be cheaper), using substances, or going to the washroom together, having a friend by your side means you can help keep each other safe and have fun together. Before an event, decide on a meeting point in case you get separated.

DON‘T

1. DON’T leave your friend(s) alone

We were taught the Buddy System at a young age for a reason. Have each other’s backs and keep an eye on each other. It’s not cool to leave them alone, especially if they’re feeling unwell. Get help from staff at the event. If your friend is not in the right headspace, keeping them company would be a good idea.

2. DON’T ignore consent

Consent is extremely important for going-out etiquette. Flirt respectfully! Is someone too intoxicated to consent? Leave them alone tonight. Learn more about consent here.

3. DON’T dress without thinking about the weather

For outdoor events, like Block Party, the weather can impact your ability to have fun. With the sun out during the day, it might be fine to not bring a jacket but when it gets dark (and possibly rainy), it can get really cold. A lot of people ditch the jacket because they want to showcase their fun outfits or because it’s annoying to deal with if you’re not wearing it, but the weather is still cold enough in April to need outerwear.

4. DON’T ignore your entrances and exits

Noticing the locations of bathrooms, exits, and first aid tents would make your experience better. Being able to know where everything is can come in handy when you need something, whether it is to use the washroom, knowing where medical staff are, or if you just have a question.

5. DON’T take Tylenol the day of or after drinking

Combining acetaminophen and alcohol can cause liver damage. For pain relief, opt for alternatives like ibuprofen (Advil) instead.

Pastels & Pinot Boozy Paint Night

Get Creative and Paint Your Own Boozy Creation! Join us for a chill evening of painting and boozy drinks* with classy sounds provided by the UBC Jazz Club! Let your artistry flow at this low-stakes event – whether you’re coming alone or with friends, you’ll be sitting down and connecting with someone over art and drinks*!

🗓️ Thursday September 12th 2024
⏰ 6:00PM – 8:00PM
📍 The Gallery Patio & Lounge (Nest 4th floor)
🎟️ https://www.bouncelife.com/events/66cf9b72eda3ecd9350a1c62
*You must purchase your own drinks from The Gallery if you want to drink.

UBC, UBC Vancouver, UBC students, UBC student life, UBC students, UBC events, events at UBC, UBC student events, UBC back to school, UBC back to school events, UBC campus, UBC campus events

Beads & Bonds Bracelet Making

Get Beading and Make Your Own Bracelet! Join us for a chill evening of bracelet making where the only limit is your imagination. Create your own unique, wearable art – the ultimate back-to-school accessory! DIY bracelet making is the perfect low-stakes event to bond with your fellow students.

🗓️ Tuesday September 10th 2024
⏰ 5:30PM – 7:00PM
📍 Nest Room 2306/2309
🎟️ https://www.bouncelife.com/events/66cf991b05bfdb0808e2a555

UBC, UBC Vancouver, UBC students, UBC student life, UBC students, UBC events, events at UBC, UBC student events, UBC back to school, UBC back to school events, UBC campus, UBC campus events

Tote-ally Your Bag Tote Bag Painting

Get Crafty and Paint Your Style on Tote Bags! Join us for a fun-filled tote bag painting event where creativity knows no bounds. Grab some brushes, mix your favourite colours, and let your creativity go wild as you transform a simple tote bag into a wearable work of art. Get ready for an evening of artistic expression while making new friends!

🗓️ Wednesday September 4th 2024
⏰ 12:00PM – 1:30PM
📍 Nest Performance Theatre (Nest 2nd floor)
🎟️ https://www.bouncelife.com/events/66c528b5e47422eeb73d97b1

UBC, UBC Vancouver, UBC students, UBC student life, UBC students, UBC events, events at UBC, UBC student events, UBC back to school, UBC back to school events, UBC campus, UBC campus events

Financial Literacy After Graduation

[VIRTUAL WORKSHOP] This webinar is designed to equip graduating university students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their finances confidently as they transition into post-university life. Led by an experienced financial expert (Kim Kwan PFP®, B.A., Branch Manager – BMO University Marketplace) this session will cover key topics such as savings strategies, debt management, credit building and practical tips for financial independence. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can transform your relationship with money and ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge to make real financial progress.

This webinar is presented by alumni UBC in partnership with BMO.

Secure your spot by registering now! RSVP link: https://ubc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xbRT95s3QA-2fw4j8drAgw#/registration

Speaker: Kim Kwan PFP®, B.A, Branch Manager – BMO University Marketplace

Kim Kwan is a dynamic and results driven leader, with over a decade of professional experience in providing leadership to teams centered on execution of tailored financial guidance and advice. Throughout the span of her career in the financial industry, she has worked in every retail branch banking role, in ten different branches.

In 2022, she was a Co-Champion for BMO BC Kid’s Fundraising Campaign on behalf of Vancouver West & Richmond. Most recently, she took on a leadership role as VWR Market’s Co-Ambassador for our 2024 United Way Employee Giving Campaign.

In her spare time, Kim loves to get out into nature, ride her motorcycle, travel to tropical destinations and she enjoys spending time with her two teenage boys.

Introduction to Money Management

[VIRTUAL WORKSHOP] How do I make my money work for me? This introductory session, led by an expert from TD Canada Trust, will cover the basics of personal finance. Topics covered include budgeting, credit, and basic investing. Whether you are new to personal finance or want to brush up on the essentials, this student-friendly session is a great step towards securing your financial future.

Secure your spot by registering now!

Speaker: Bret Xiao, BCom’22, Personal Banking Associate, TD Canada Trust

Bret Xiao (BCom’22) is a personal banking associate at TD. Having grown up in Nanjing, China, he studied Accounting at UBC Sauder School of Business. Now, as a personal banking associate, he shares his expertise in day-to-date banking and business.