Another semester has begun at Bowling Green State University, and so has the usual crop of wide-eyed newcomers seeking to immerse themselves in the “college experience.”

For many of these University rookies, that experience is as much about socializing as it is about studying. In fact, when not adjusting to residence halls or lecture halls, the true extroverts of the new class will likely be testing themselves at Bolwing Green’s hallowed halls of intermingling — the nightclubs.

An inexperienced clubber is usually open to any guidance from a seasoned veteran relating to fashion tips (wear underwear with short skirts), proper dance moves (ixnay on the obotray), or good pick-up lines (“Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?”). The most critical advice is the kind that can help ensure safety during a night on the town.

The best way to avoid dangerous situations at a club is simply to not go to the club. But that’s not a viable option for many students, so we’ll just skip ahead to the dos and don’ts.

“Relax, have fun, respect other people and respect the bar,” Sean Carr said. Carr is the general manager at Junction Bar ‘ Grill on Main street. “If you do that, you should have nothing to worry about.”

Junction is one of Bowling Green’s three major nightspots. The others are Uptown/ Downtown and Skybar. All are on Main street.

Since it is more of a traditional bar than a dance club, Junction has a more relaxed atmosphere than its competition, but Carr is careful to point out that a strict code of ethics is still in place for patrons.

“If there is any inappropriate behavior, toward a woman or a man, we won’t hesitate to approach someone and ask them to calm down or possibly to leave,” Carr said.

In other words, a good rule of thumb at Junction, or any club, is to avoid volatile situations and keep a cool head. This includes escorting a friend from the building if he or she may be a threat to the comfort or safety of others at the club. Anticipating danger is a great way to prevent it.

Sometimes, of course, you cannot anticipate when a club outing may end up putting you in harm’s way. For instance, if a serious fight or a fire breaks out, a person’s instinct is often to panic. Michael Pheifer, a manager at Uptown/Downtown, advises his patrons to remain relatively calm by putting their faith in the club’s staff.

“If there’s a problem, whether a small fire or fight, always look for a bouncer and explain the situation,” he says. “We have the biggest club in BG, but we have also have the most people on staff, including about twenty bouncers on most nights.”

Uptown is above the street level Downtown. They are two of the most popular local hangouts, bringing in large crowds most nights. With big crowds, plenty of safety issues can arise. In the rarest of instances, such as the recent tragedies in Illinois and Rhode Island, a combination of overcrowding with fire or fisticuffs can lead to deadly results.

Tim Guthrie, a detective with the BG Police, says that most dangerous club scenarios can be handled safely through the awareness and preparedness of those in the club. “When you arrive, familiarize yourself with the building,” he says. “Look for where the fire exits are and know your surroundings.”

Then, in an emergency, you will be able to get outside as soon and as safely as possible. While it’s imperative that clubbers be prepared for the worst, most nights can go off without a hitch as long as several simple guidelines are followed.

“If you see security or a worker moving through the crowd, don’t get in their way. They are there to protect you and do their job said Mike Hanhold, a bouncer at Junction.

“Don’t use fake IDs or drink if you are underage … you can and will get in lots of trouble,” Hanhold said.

Pheifer agreed, noting that a valid state identification is required just to step through the door at Uptown and Downtown. He said they will not recognize student IDs.

Having seen his share of club fledglings out on the town, Hanhold concluded with this key advice: “Be smart. New students equal the low end of the totem pole in college, especially with the nightlife. Travel with groups of friends and watch out for each other.”

The importance of friends should never be underestimated on a nightclub venture. To ensure safety in clubs and also on the way to and from the club, the presence of trusted individuals can be the difference between a great night and a disastrous one.

Detective Guthrie emphasizes just how constant group support needs to be. “People need to watch their drinks and know who their getting their drinks from (whether it’s alcoholic or not). If you go to the restroom, have someone you trust watch your things. If you are leaving, always let someone know. And most importantly, don’t go home with someone you don’t know.”

This brings us to the important distinction between safety inside an outside the club. Within the club itself, there are strict rules and people to enforce them. Outside, an individual must have the good sense and judgment to get home safely. This does not mean they must go it alone. Even if someone has been separated from their friends for the evening, Bowling Green has several services in place that can be utilized by students in such a situation.

A great alternative to a solitary walk home is the Campus Escort Service, which is available Saturday 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and from dusk to 6 a.m. the rest of the week. By dialing 372-8360, students are guarenteed an escort to or from anywere within Bowling Green city limits.

2-Ride (372-RIDE), is an on-call van service that is available to students at various campus locations and some off-campus apartments. Its hours of operation are 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and Sunday 7 p.m. through 8 a.m.

Another option for the post-club journey home is the Bowling Green cab service, which runs throughout the night. Any of these options can help keep a student out of harm’s way while giving him or her a sense of added security during a long night out.

Whether playing some pool at Junction or dancing the night away at Skybar, the goal of the new clubber is generally the same — to enjoy the company of others and have a good time. As long as they value the club and themselves enough to include a wise amount of caution with that fun, the adjustment to the “college experience” should be a pleasant one.