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For many University of Colorado Denver students spring break is a time to forget many things-about midterms, studying, and stress.
But according to the U.S. State Department, spring break might be one of the most important times of the year for students to have their wits about them. The department recently released a travel alert warning of the dangers of traveling to Mexico due to increased violence in the country.
The U.S. embassy claims that at least one American was killed every week in 2008.
All of this, and according to the State Department, 100,000 American college students flock to Mexico during spring break every year.
According to Bronson Hilliard, spokesperson for the University of Colorado Boulder, safety during spring break all depends on the student. "It's not dependent on the country, it depends on the student in question…there are some students I wouldn't recommend leave their dorm room."
CU Boulder, released a statement encouraging students to be safe whether if they are traveling in Colorado or Mexico this spring break.
"The number-one danger for young people is their cluelessness about personal safety," said Hilliard.
Hilliard claims that the generation of students currently in school is lacking in safety awareness.
While Hilliard may be encouraging his students to be safe and alert on break some other universities are discouraging their students from traveling to Mexico altogether.
Debra Darnata, director of the Wellness Alcohol Violence Education Program at New Mexico State University, is advocating for students to avoid Mexico this spring break.
"There is always the potential for murder and kidnapping, and a lot of innocent people have been caught in crossfire," said Darnata.
NMSU, which is located just 60 miles from the Mexican border, has recently incorporated a discussion with parents and new students during orientation to discourage students from traveling to Ciudad Juarez, the closest Mexican border town.
Although Darnata is unaware of any student deaths in Mexico, she noted sexual assault as being commonly reported by NMSU students.
A few years ago, six or seven students showed up to the student health center suspecting that they had been given Rohypnol (the date-rape drug) the night before in Mexico. When examined at the health center all of the students tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease, said Darnata.
Lynn Parrish, spokesperson for Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, or RAINN, claims that sexual assault in general is under-reported. It is hard to get statistics on sexual assault, because it is difficult for victims to come forward, she explained.
"Students like to let loose and have a good time on spring break, but we want to remind students that this [sexual assault] is a real issue and to reduce their risks," said Parrish.
Parrish believes that the two most important safety measures for students to take are to travel in groups and keep tabs on each other as well as to "trust your instincts if you get a feeling that something is just not right."
Other RAINN safety tips include being aware of surroundings, avoiding being alone or isolated, practicing safe drinking, securing rooms or property, and reporting suspicious behavior.
According to Parrish, reporting suspicious behavior might prove to be a little challenging due to the fact that many of the Mexican federales are corrupt themselves.
Instead of dabbling in the dangers of Mexican travel, UCD Director of Student and Community Enrichment Khushnur Dadabhoy is encouraging students to spend their time bettering themselves and helping out their fellow man.
UCD is sponsoring an "Alternative Spring Break," a weeklong trip to Waco, Texas, where students will be working with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes.
"I'd rather see that [Alternative Spring Break] than students going to party; I'd rather see students doing good than going to Mexico and Florida and getting drunk," said Dadabhoy.
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