Townhouse parties. Beach bashes. Dorm room benders.
Alcohol is generally prominent on a college campus, and the statistics back it up. A recent study says as much as 20 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by minors.
The Women’s Wisdom group offered the chance to enjoy an alcohol-free Saturday night this past weekend with the Great Campus Drinkout. The event, running from 6 p.m. to midnight, invited students to come down, partake in a slate full of activities, and pledge to give up alcohol for 24 hours.
More than 200 students stopped in to enjoy the portion of the night, the first time this event has been attempted on campus. Students took advantage of board and video games, free food and drinks, and a variety of other entertainment options.
Improv troupe On the Spot performed in front of a standing room only crowd early in the evening, and was followed by Jonnyproud, an on-campus band. An open mic night followed on the event’s main stage, held in the Campus Center’s first floor lounge.
Students who attended were also asked to take a survey about alcohol beliefs and attitudes, and asked to take another survey with them to fill out at the end of the week, to compare their attitude about alcohol. Raffles were offered when the surveys were completed, giving students the chance to win prizes and also put them in the running for a brand new Jeep.
Shannon Young, program coordinator for Women’s Wisdom, said in an E-mail that the event was designed to not only offer a healthy alternative for those wishing to stay sober, but also to celebrate those who make the decision not to drink. The drinkout was modeled after the Great American Smokeout, a national event that occurs each year to encourage smokers to give up smoking.
Jeanne DiMuzio, director of wellness and prevention, was pleased with the success of the event, which had at least 30 students hang around until the event ended. She told The Mirror hopes that the event can occur twice a year, once each semester, going forward.
For those who like to get their game on more than one night a semester, the office of Wellness and Prevention, in conjunction with other groups on campus such as the Board Game Club, also offers game nights 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. most Fridays and Saturdays in Jazzman’s Café. The games selection consists of over 50 different options, and suggestions for new games to add to the collection are welcome.
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