BATON ROUGE, LA – LSU officials announced Wednesday that “Escaping a West Chimes Stampede” has been added to freshman orientation after hundreds of people scattered during an unpermitted block party near campus.
The new exercise will teach incoming students how to identify blocked sidewalks, avoid vehicles trapped inside crowds, and determine which direction everyone else is running before choosing the opposite one.
“Campus safety begins with preparation,” an LSU spokesperson said. “Students already learn about emergency alerts, severe weather, and Mike the Tiger. This simply addresses the threat they are statistically more likely to encounter before syllabus week ends.”
Participants will gather outside a hookah lounge while orientation leaders gradually increase the volume of music and reduce available personal space. At an undisclosed moment, someone will yell, prompting students to attempt to reach Nicholson Drive without losing a shoe.
Those who finish will receive a special reflective lanyard, bottled water, and priority registration for Advanced West Chimes Evacuation, traditionally offered during football season.
