Spring break has sprung, sending Kansas University students all over the place to enjoy their week away from school. They’re headed to the sunny beaches of California, Florida and Mexico. Some are going home to visit mom and dad, while others are staying in Lawrence.

But as they embark on their journey of temporary freedom, students have been bombarded by safety warnings from university administrators.

“It kind of makes you stop and look and evaluate everything. … Take a step back from all the partying and realize that there are more important things,” said Amanda Lehner, KU freshman, from Cheney.

For Lehner, 19, the warnings meant a last-minute change in her spring break plans. She decided to cancel a trip to Cancun, Mexico, after recent reports about violence in the country.

“We were really bummed, but safety comes first, so I didn’t really want to risk it,” she said.

The violence in Mexico was one of many warnings that Marlesa Roney, KU vice provost for student success, had for students. She sent students and their parents e-mails, urging those traveling across the border to stay in tourist areas, travel only in daylight hours and avoid displaying valuables.

While the warnings about Mexico were issued at many colleges across the country, there were a few other important warnings for KU students.

Students staying in town were warned to protect themselves from sexual assaults. This week, law enforcement announced the possible link between 13 rapes in Lawrence and Manhattan since 2000, a majority of which occurred during school breaks.

“It’s kind of scary to me,” said Tiffany Jones, KU senior, from Los Angeles. “I do live by myself, so … I had my fiancé come down and he’s going to be here for spring break; a little protection.”

All students, no matter where they would vacation, were also warned to use alcohol responsibly. This, after KU freshman Jason Wren, 19, was found dead Sunday at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. His father said he was killed from drinking a large amount of alcohol.

“When something like that happens, it really hits home and I think people should be careful,” said Kevin Munch, KU sophomore, from Denver. “If they plan on (drinking), then they should be responsible.”

According to a national Nielsen Media Research/Anheuser-Busch study in 2007, 90 percent of college students said they were responsible and safe during spring break. The survey also indicated 84 percent drank responsibly and in moderation.

Many KU students Friday said they were heeding the warnings issued by university administrators.

“You’ve just got to be safe,” said Austin Eck, KU sophomore, from Wichita.