As the weather gets colder and the year comes to an end, Fairfield University is preparing for silver bells, snowfall, and final exams. However, many students are already dreaming of sun, sand, and partying.
As of Monday, Dec. 10, spring break is only 14 weeks away.
Students have already begun to put deposits down for various destinations, including Mexico, Florida, and Jamaica for the week of March 13-20.
A random survey of 100 Fairfield students, a sample including students of every class, revealed that about three quarters of the students will be going away on spring break. More than half of these students are from the class of 2004, and a large majority are planning on vacationing in Acapulco.
“I went to Cancun as a sophomore, and I decided then that I would return to Mexico on spring break my senior year,” said Maura McLoughlin ’04. “I want to make the most of my time left as a college student.”
In the last 20 years, spring break has become a national weeklong holiday for college students. Spring break is depicted on television as a carefree, out of control party, and the expectations of the students reflect that image.
“When I think of spring break I think about getting obliterated with my friends, meeting girls, and catching some rays on the beach in search of an unforgettable time,” said Joe Angelini ’04 who is headed to Acapulco.
USA Today recently reported that tour organizers have redefined spring break as “playgrounds for underage American students to drink, and even take drugs, without running afoul of the law.”
Some party packages offer “50 hours of free drinking” and free admission to clubs and bars. The survey found Fairfield students plan to spend $800 to $2,100 dollars sunbathing, drinking, and partying.
“Since it (spring break) is spread via mass media, students and others sometimes perceive it to be reality. Perception becomes reality sometimes, even when it is not accurate,” said Dean of Students Mark Reed.
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs encourages students to be aware of the country in which they are staying and to review some general safety guidelines before heading to the beach and the bar. The Department of State releases information to over 1,200 colleges and universities each February.
Many students do not realize that disorderly conduct tolerated in America could result in an arrest abroad, said the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs. Young Americans also have suffered injury, death, rape and robbery because they have found themselves in unfamiliar locations or are unable to make good judgment calls due to substance abuse.
“I am not worried about any of these negative aspects of spring break. Even if they happened to me I probably wouldn’t remember them,” said Mike Blood ’04.
But parents and authorities may worry about spring break when students have these careless attitudes.
“Good kids end up getting caught in the hype of a crazy week and that is where the trouble begins,” said James Fitzpatrick, assistant vice president of student services.
“The vast majority of the time, students who have been exposed to and educated in the Jesuit tradition of caring for others can handle all the gimmicks that these marketing geniuses can toss at them during spring break,” he said.
“Some of the images of spring break on television may appear fun now, but try to picture yourself in the future looking back,” said Reed. “Is this how you would want your spouse, your kids, or your co-workers to see you? More importantly, is this how you would want to see yourself?”
Fairfield students surveyed said that they had few problems in the past. The worst scenarios included a late flight and bad party packages.
“I sat in a Mexican airport for 19 hours, with a bad cold, and no voice, but it was all worth it in the end,” said McLoughlin.
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