2008 Woodie Awards
I am not entertained
How the university can curb drinking with positive activities
by Brian Citino
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Online
As I am now less than three months away from graduating, I have started to look back on the past four years and reflect on my time at the university.
Certain things have become repetitive in my memories, like the countless games of beer pong, all-nighters of watching movies and playing Dr. Mario with three of my best friends, and the jam sessions with my band and friends.
When reflecting on the university itself, however, two very negative things always come to mind. First, its attempt, and might I add unsuccessful attempt, to rid the campus of a so-called "drinking problem," and second, the lack of quality entertainment provided to my classmates and I.
Every time you turn around, this school is getting some sort of new grant or donation to help in curbing or ending students' drinking habits. The way they usually go about this is through education programs or stricter enforcement of the rules.
Well, after four years, none of it has worked.
Handing out stickers to students stating why there are 10 reasons not to drink is not going to do anything. My roommate and I, for instance, changed our stickers with a Sharpie to the top 10 reasons to drink. When we were drunk, might I add.
The education programs are worthless because everyone knows that sitting and telling a college student not to do something only gives him that much more of a reason to want to do it. Hence, a campus with a "drinking problem."
In the past couple of years I have also been very disappointed with the less than abundant amount of entertainment provided to students on campus. Sure we have had a big concert or comedian almost every semester, including 311, Kanye West and Dane Cook, but is one a semester really sufficient?
On top of the big events, the Student Centers Programming Advisory Board provides comedians and bands every week, on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, trying to help in the entertainment of the student body.
But again, how are students supposed to get excited for a band they have never heard or a comedian whose only claim to fame is that he was an extra on an episode of The Chappelle Show four years ago?
Certain things have become repetitive in my memories, like the countless games of beer pong, all-nighters of watching movies and playing Dr. Mario with three of my best friends, and the jam sessions with my band and friends.
When reflecting on the university itself, however, two very negative things always come to mind. First, its attempt, and might I add unsuccessful attempt, to rid the campus of a so-called "drinking problem," and second, the lack of quality entertainment provided to my classmates and I.
Every time you turn around, this school is getting some sort of new grant or donation to help in curbing or ending students' drinking habits. The way they usually go about this is through education programs or stricter enforcement of the rules.
Well, after four years, none of it has worked.
Handing out stickers to students stating why there are 10 reasons not to drink is not going to do anything. My roommate and I, for instance, changed our stickers with a Sharpie to the top 10 reasons to drink. When we were drunk, might I add.
The education programs are worthless because everyone knows that sitting and telling a college student not to do something only gives him that much more of a reason to want to do it. Hence, a campus with a "drinking problem."
In the past couple of years I have also been very disappointed with the less than abundant amount of entertainment provided to students on campus. Sure we have had a big concert or comedian almost every semester, including 311, Kanye West and Dane Cook, but is one a semester really sufficient?
On top of the big events, the Student Centers Programming Advisory Board provides comedians and bands every week, on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, trying to help in the entertainment of the student body.
But again, how are students supposed to get excited for a band they have never heard or a comedian whose only claim to fame is that he was an extra on an episode of The Chappelle Show four years ago?
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
valdpt
VM
posted 3/16/07 @ 7:07 AM EST
Respectfully, I disagree.
Universities don't owe their students premium entertainment, and they don't owe students the taking-on of responsibility for the drinking choices they make. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 3/16/07 @ 10:41 AM EST
The reason that there is no entertainment coming to UD is because of student apathy. Big names performers don't want to come to a school where they won't make a profit. (Continued…)
Rob Ferguson
posted 3/16/07 @ 10:59 AM EST
I too diasgree with you.
I graduated a couple of years ago and I remember that if someone wanted to do something other than sit a round and drink, there were an overabundance of things to do. (Continued…)
Alex
posted 3/16/07 @ 12:02 PM EST
Firstly, I am SCPAB's advisor and a UD alum (class of 2000). I come with two comments:
1. Planning a concert isn't as simple as you are suggesting. (Continued…)
Christine
posted 3/17/07 @ 11:31 AM EST
I want to second what Alex and Andrew both said. It's good that you don't see entire fault with SCPAB for there not being an abundance of bigger music acts. (Continued…)
Jeremy Smith
posted 3/27/07 @ 2:00 AM EST
I'm echoing what Alex, Andy, and Rob said...
I don't drink like the way I did when I was a freshman, but I still find ways to entertain myself, like actually GOING to those events with comedians/muscians I've never heard of (cause *gasp* it's good to know what's out there besides the stuff on MTV), seeing stuff like the Rubber Chickens or E-52 Players, and actually JOINING clubs. (Continued…)
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