“Party Smart, Party Safe”: Spring Break Luau 2024
This year at UTRGV, spring break will occur from March 11-16. With this time of the year, many students may opt for partying, such as going to South Padre Island and visiting Clayton’s Beach Bar, a popular point of attraction for locals and tourists. However, Melba Latu, director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, talks “partying smart and partying safe” at the 3rd Annual Spring Break Luau.
The Spring Break Luau is an on-campus event sponsored by UTRGV Student Rights and Responsibilities, The Superhero Project and Center for Student Involvement. The event takes place on both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.
The Spring Break Luau was held on 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 5 on the Student Union Lawn in Brownsville and is set to occur on March 7 on the Quad Lawn behind the Student Union in Edinburg during the same time.
The event hopes to bring awareness to the dangers that students may face if they are not careful with the way they party or drink.
According to Latu, the creation of Spring Break Luau happened “after years of knowing that students usually travel to the island.” Latu expressed her support for Vaqueros and she hopes they know that they are supported.
“We strategically hold Spring Break Luau the week before spring break to remind students that they can have a wonderful and relaxing spring break and be smart,” Latu said. “We want to remind them that we’re here for them.”
At this year’s Spring Break Luau in Brownsville, there were free drinks, music and prizes as well as food for purchase by various student organizations. Students were also able to participate in events such as a dance-off and a hula hoop competition for the chance to win a portable Bluetooth speaker and UTRGV swag merch.
Two UTRGV students shared their thoughts on the event with Pulse, as well as what they will be doing during their spring break.
Cristal Garcia, an art senior, said that she plans to be on campus to catch up on her classes.
Garcia said that she liked the Spring Break Luau because “they’re showing that they care about [students’] well-being.”
Christian Solis, a medical lab science junior, said that his plans for spring break were “to relax [and] study.”
Solis also said he appreciates the Spring Break Luau because it “offers tips” on safety.
“Hopefully people stay safe,” Solis said.
