Attendee Policies

Registration

Registration through official sources such as this website and on-site are the only ways to purchase your membership for this event, with the given badge acting as physical proof of membership. The practice of badge-sharing will NOT be allowed for this event. Any parties involved in badge-sharing will be kicked out of this year's event, will be banned from next year's event, and may have legal ramifications.

Registration may be purchased on our website or in-person during the event. General registration rates are generally discounted the earlier in the year you purchase them and the most expensive on-site during the event. UCSD, Minor, and Sponsor Badge prices will stay the same throughout the entire registration period. Only General badges will have a discounted period until September.

Payment methods accepted are credit cards and cash on-site. No personal or cashier checks will be accepted for registration.

Registered legal names must match your government-issued photo ID in order to complete onsite registration and/or check-in. Minors may use a school-issued photo ID and/or any other government-issued document to prove their membership.

For this year's event, minors must bring either a parent or guardian with them to pick up their badges, otherwise badges will not be issued.

Minors

All attendees who are under the age of 18 as of October 11, 2026, will receive a minor membership, badge, and a wristband.

Parents or a Guardian will also receive a wristband and must accompany the minor at all times during this event.

There will be some restrictions, regarding activities, that minor membership will have, such as restriction to rave access and to some mature event programming. Any additional restrictions will be listed here.

If you are a minor and are purchasing a sponsor badge, please contact [email protected] after purchase. You do not have to purchase the minor badge separately: you will be given both a sponsor and a minor badge, along with a wristband. All the restrictions above and on this page still apply.

If staff figure out that you are a minor and have been found to have registered for the event under a different (i.e., adult) membership. UCPD will be contacted, you will be kicked out of the event, and you may face legal repercussions.

Refunds

Full refunds can be requested at the email of [email protected] before September 12th, 2026, 11:59 PM. No other means of contact through our public servers or social media accounts are going to process your request. Please send your refund request from the email associated with your badge and include the following info:

• Legal Name
• Badge Name
• Reasons for refund

Refunds requested after September 12, 2026 are not guaranteed and will only be offered on a case-by-case basis through extenuating circumstances. To preserve your confidentiality, all evidence documenting the extenuating circumstances will be deleted on our end after the case is resolved. Between September 12, 2026 and October 4, 2026, rollovers of this year's membership credit into the next year's event will be offered. No refund or rollover request will be granted by October 4, 2026.

If your membership is terminated for any reason relating to your personal conduct during the event, you will not be eligible for any refund.

Safety & Costume Policy

The safety and security of our attendees, vendors, volunteers, staff, and general public during Howloween is our highest priority, and Triton Tails is working closely with the university to keep this event safe and fun. We ask that all attendees do their part in keeping this event safe. If you see something suspicious or potentially unsafe, please contact our con-ops division immediately.

By attending Howloween, you agree to abide by our Attendee and Vendor Policies (see Personal Conduct), university policies, the City of San Diego municipal code, or state or federal laws. Any violators may be confronted by Howloween staff (including con-ops), UCSD staff, or UCPD. Failure to comply with any of these rules or laws may result in sanctions, up to and including revocation of your membership and civil or criminal prosecution.

Most of the extra security will come during the rave. After 6:00 PM, there will be a security checkpoint at the west ballroom and the closure of some of the entrances. You will go through security by going through a bag check and, potentially, a magnetometer.

For costumes and props, we are fine with most things however as this is in a university setting, we have some very strict rules we need to follow from our university. The most important being is that if it looks like a weapon from eye distance, that is a no-go, leave that back home. If it's a prop or weapon that can shoot a projectile, we will not allow that as well. Any prop or costume that is sharp and can cause injury to other people in tight spaces is not allowed. We have UCPD and UCSD staff looking over the venue at all times, so it's very important that our event follows these guidelines.

While most costumes and props are welcome at Howloween, there are a few rules that will be strictly enforced by UCSD staff and UCPD for this university event. The following are strictly prohibited from Howloween:

• Any props that have the appearance of a weapon from an average viewing distance (~20 feet away).
• Any props or costume elements that are able to shoot projectiles.
• Any props or costume elements that are sharp enough to cause contact injury.

Additionally, Howloween is an all-ages convention on a university campus, so any not-suitable-for-work (NSFW) costumes, props, and kink gear (including pup hoods) is prohibited.

We understand that costume & props are a very grey area/subject. If you are unsure of whether your costume and/or props will be permissible to wear to Howloween, please confirm with con-ops at [email protected] prior to the event. It's better to ask questions than to risk your access to the venue during check-in.

Personal Conduct

To keep this convention running as smoothly and as fun for everyone as possible, we have implemented some rules regarding personal conduct. The following conduct is prohibited:

• Fighting, rough-housing, vandalism, threatening, or abusive language.
• Hate speech, including any attire, costume, prop, and wearables alluding to it.
• Littering. Please take trash with you or throw it away in the appropriate place.
• Congregating on elevators or in tight hallways, unless you are waiting on an elevator or for programming. Keeping the flow of traffic active is essential.
• Trespassing (or attempted trespassing into) rooms that are limited access to staff or sponsors or are not a part of the convention.
• Impersonating Howloween staff, UCSD staff, medical services, or UCPD.
• Balloons or floating/flying objects within buildings.

Harassment & Assault

Triton Tails has zero tolerance for harassment and assault of any form, including, but not limited to, unwanted contact, stalking, threats of violence, and provocation. Number one rule is If someone tells you to stop, you must abide by those wishes and stop immediately. If you are feeling uncomfortable or are being subjected to harassment and/or assault, please immediately inform con-ops. Any attendees found to have engaged in harassment and/or assault during Howloween will have their membership revoked and may face civil or criminal prosecution.

One more thing: Costume is not consent. Any type of cosplay or costume or fursuit that one may wear does not constitute consent for anybody to subject them to touching, inappropriate comments or comments made against them, or harassment. If there is a concern about a costume being offensive, please direct your concerns to con-ops.

Pets

The venue does not allow pets or animals, with the exception of service animals. If you will be bringing a service animal to Howloween, please contact [email protected], so that staff is notified ahead of time. Emotional support animals do not count as service animals.

Smoking and Vaping

UC San Diego is a smoke-, cannabis-, and tobacco-free campus. Smoking, vaping, or consuming any cannabis, tobacco, or other controlled substances is strictly prohibited. Additionally, no distribution on vapes, cigarettes, cannabis, or any other illegal substances is allowed. Any violations of this section will result in immediate revocation of membership and being reported to drug enforcement authorities.

Photography & Video

Most areas are fine to take pictures and record. With that mind, as an attendee do keep in mind that you may be in photos or videos of other attendees. As stated in the harassment section, if someone requests you to stop whether this would be an attendee, a staff member, or anybody really, then respect their wishes. Following and recording someone without consent, or similar situations to this still falls under harassment. Photography and/or recording of the con with the purpose of sale or sending it to the press is prohibited, unless is given clearance by UC San Diego & Triton Tails. No media or press publications are allowed at any part of the venue, unless given permission ahead of time. Additionally, any social media users with the intent of “exposing” the furry community will not be allowed or tolerated in the venue.

Howloween is a public event on a university campus. As such, most areas are subject to the photography and video recording rules established by UC San Diego. These rules include restrictions on media or press recordings without expressed prior authorization by the university. The distribution or sale of photography and video recordings to the press media is similarly prohibited.

While the taking of photos and videos for personal use is generally allowed during Howloween, the recording of photos and/or videos of someone against their explicit wishes is considered harassment and is thus strictly prohibited (see Harassment & Assault). If you suspect that someone is recording photos or video with the intent of harassment (e.g., “exposing” the furry community), please contact con-ops immediately.

Termination & Revocation of Membership

Please remember that your membership and badge are the privilege and property of Triton Tails. If an executive or con-ops requests you to surrender your badge, then that also constitutes a revocation of your membership privileges. If you have any problems regarding membership revocations, please contact [email protected].

If your membership privileges are revoked, then you will be requested to leave the venue space immediately and will be prohibited from purchasing another membership/badge for the duration of your suspension.

Ultimately, these rules serve to make the experience for everyone as memorable and fun as possible. The last thing we want as staff is to escalate any action against any of our attendees, so please follow them. Thank you for your cooperation, and Happy Howloween! :3