As students return to Montana State University, experts say the first weeks of the semester bring more than new classes and social events, they also bring heightened risks.

“The beginning of our school year is going to be our busiest time,” said Kyleen Breslin, MSU’s Title IX and campus civil rights managing director.

Breslin said from the first day of school until Thanksgiving break, the university expects to receive about half of its sexual misconduct reports.

This period is known nationwide as the “Red Zone,” a time when college students across the country are statistically more vulnerable to sexual assault.

“We know students returning to school being excited to reengage with their community,” Breslin said. “We see a lot of times risky behavior that can result in harm to our communi

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