The week of Oct. 21 was Alcohol Awareness Week, a time where the University of New Haven’s Office of Student Activities, along with the Office of Residential Life, works with many organizations on campus to sponsor different programs that bring to light the serious consequences of alcohol consumption.
Throughout the week, SCOPE, the American Criminal Justice Association, Victimology and the Fire Science Club, in conjunction with OSA and ORL, sponsored many different activities designed to show students the effects of alcohol on their bodies and spread alcohol awareness throughout the UNH campus.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the Bergami Game Room, students competed in a “Drunk Mario Tournament.” Beer goggles were provided to those playing the video game in an attempt to show just how hard it is to complete simple tasks while intoxicated.
Other events that took place during the week included a Trashed Speaker on Monday, Mock tailgating before the men’s soccer game on Tuesday, the Drunk Mario Cart Tournament and a showing of Animal House on Wednesday, a Seatbelt Simulator and Root Beer Float Obstacle Course on Thursday and a Docudrama on Friday.
Students were also able take a pledge not to drink and drive in the Bartels Programming Space on Monday and Tuesday.
“Alcohol abuse is always an issue, and it’s good that students are aware of what’s going on and are educating themselves,” Andrew Mayer, Office Coordinator of OSA, said.
Kirsten Ellison, head of the Alcohol Awareness Committee, said she would like students to take away responsible drinking habits from this week.
“The week is not suppose to tell students not to drink; the goal is to educate students on responsible drinking choices, and educate more on the effects of drinking and what drinking can do to someone,” she said.
All college students experience the effects of college drinking, whether they drink or not. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about four out of five college students drink alcohol, and nearly 2,000 students ages 18 to 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including drunk driving accidents.
“I think alcohol awareness being brought to UNH is a good idea,” said Soundview Residential Assistant Dan Brophy. “Many students over consume or do not take proper precautions with alcohol.”
Underage students found in the presence of alcohol or empty alcohol containers warrants a Level One Offense, according to the UNH Student Handbook. Underage possession and consumption of alcohol calls for a Level Two Offense, and intoxication and being present during drinking games calls for a Level Three Offense, along with serving to minors. A Level Four Offense is handed out if a student is found in the possession of kegs, grain alcohol or the possession and/or use of funnels.
The consequence for a Level Two Offense is a $100 fine and the referral to a BASICS group, according to the Student Handbook. A Level Three Offense, calls for a $200 fine, parental notification and a BASICS group referral, and the consequence for a Level Four is a $300 fine and a minimum referral to a one-on-one counseling session.
A Level Five Offense is awarded after the fourth Level Two violation, the third Level Three violation or additional violations after a Level Four violation. A Level Five Violation will result in the removal from the residence halls and/or the University.
“When students don’t take the proper precautions, it could lead to costly medical transports,” Brophy said. Hopefully these Alcohol Awareness programs will prevent future problems concerning students and alcohol, he said.
“I think these programs are important—people are always hearing about kids getting alcohol poisoning or worse,” said sophomore Kaitlin Mahar. “Even though you might think it’s the same old boring stuff over and over again, you never know when it could end up making a difference.”
