2008 Woodie Awards
On-campus event offers alternatives to student drinking
Jessica O'Hara
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: News
|
The yearly event, sponsored by V8, featured video games, cookie decorating and a photo booth with oversized props. According to event coordinators, the popular mechanical bull did not return this year due to liability and insurance issues.
The event marked the culmination of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, which started on Oct. 15.
The university sponsored lectures every day last week to educate and inform students about the consequences of alcohol.
Wellspring outreach coordinator, Nicole Solomon, said alcohol use can be harmful.
"At least one out of every five college students abandons safe sex practices while drunk," Solomon said. "In addition, one night of heavy drinking can impair your ability to think abstractly for up to 30 days."
Not all university students drink, according to 2006 statistics provided by Wellspring. Thirty-nine percent of first-year university students reported abstaining from alcohol use six weeks into their first semester.
Senior Tiffany Mease, V8's vice president, said the organization neither promotes nor discourages drinking.
"V8 is not an anti-drinking club," Mease said. "It focuses on teaching people to be responsible for their actions whether they choose to drink or not."
V8's president, senior Mary Caroline Wioncek, said the organization tries to offer students alternative ways to have fun.
"Events run by V8 are designed to show that there can be fun without alcohol," Wioncek said.
Solomon said the group's efforts benefit university undergraduates.
"I believe V8 is an excellent student organization and the activities planned will offer a great alternative for students who are looking for something to do that does not involve alcohol use," she said. "Many students may realize that they are capable of having fun without being under the influence."
At Friday night's event, Christiana Hospital employees demonstrated the effects of alcohol through the use of beer goggles and a computerized blood alcohol content simulator.
Christiana nurse Virginia Corrigan displayed a variety of graphic photos that depicted car accidents caused by drunken drivers.
Be the first to comment on this story