!!PSA for freshmen/newcomers to downtown

DO NOT engage with the ‘monks’ hanging out on campus. They’re here today. Just keep walking. They will offer you a book ‘for free’ and then shame you until you give them money, telling you about how far they’ve traveled to talk you, they’ll tell you you’re ’very powerful’ etc. Saw somebody fall for it today. They will conveniently mention they take Zelle, Cashapp whatever when you say you don’t have cash. DON’T bother stopping to talk to them. They’ll try to have a spiritual conversation with you and then finish off by insisting you give them money.

This goes for ANYONE on campus asking for money for anything. If you want to donate to a good cause, do NOT give money to a person walking around campus. Go online and find a reputable charity to give to. There are many of these scams on campus, for everything from religious groups to even a ‘children’s hospital’. These people could be anyone posing for any group, do not believe them. I am posting specifically about the monks because to me they’ve been the most intrusive to people walking by and are very convincing.

How to avoid them: 1. Just keep walking and ignore them. They might then loudly talk to each other about you being rude. If doing this feels rude to you, then 2. They will compliment your necklace/ jewelry if you are wearing a spiritual symbol, and ask you if it is spiritual or just for decoration. Tell them thank you and it’s just for decoration. Usually they’ll lose interest. If not just tell them you like crystals bc you’re a geology major. 3. Just say thank you and walk away.