By Benjamin Roehlke, Staff Writer
The week of Nov. 4 through Nov. 11 was alcohol aware- ness week at Susquehanna. The week showcased various organizations such as the Evangelical Community Hospital. Throughout the week the campus administration attempted to engage students to realize the danger of overconsumption, as well as promote healthy alcohol intake.
The first event of the week was held on Saturday, Nov. 4 near the Amos Alonzo Stagg football field. This event was labeled “Football Tailgate” at Hassinger Field, where those in attendance could receive popcorn, cotton candy, carnival games, and be entered to win various door prizes. It was a family oriented take on the usual “college tailgate” which often promotes overconsumption and abuse of alcohol.
The second event of the week was held on Tuesday Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Shearer dining rooms of the Degenstein campus center. It was a discussion titled “Extreme Alcohol Consumption and its Consequences”.
Various panelists from the Evangelical Community Hospital spoke to the members of the audience. The speakers included Dr. John Devine, the Vice President of Medical Affairs and Emergency Medicine Physician, Curtis Yeager, the Director of Environmental Safety and Security, and Ryan McNally, the Wellness Educator of Community Health and Wellness.
Separately all the panelists spoke on the dangers of overconsumption, and urged students to take caution when choosing to partake in drinking They also touched on the “Good Samaritan Law”.
The Good Samaritan Law refers to laws intended to protect civilians or any party who helps any person in need of medical attention or of medical concern. Each state has different variations as there is not a national law or policy regarding liability in association with individuals who attempt to help persons needing medical attention or of medical concern.
The state of Pennsylvania has policies and laws in place that if the person assisting the student of concern willingly refers themselves to law enforcement and stays with them they are immune from prosecution.
This ensures that students who believe their friend is overly intoxicated will not receive a citation if they call 911 in attempt to save the life of someone who may have alcohol poisoning.
In addition, the laws have been enacted in order to release the stress and anxiety of worrying if the reporting person will get in trouble with the law.
The third event of the week was held on Wednesday Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Apple meet- ing rooms at the Degenstein Campus Center. The event, titled “Beer Goggle Olympics,” put students in attendance up
against various games such as Mario Kart, an egg and spoon race, a wheelbarrow race, as well as alcohol trivia while “impaired” with the help of beer goggles.
The winning team received a campus bookstore gift card. It was a creative way to show students the seriousness of alcohol impairment, and stressed the importance of recognizing when yourself or others are impaired so that it may be possible to prevent drunk driving. It also showed that you aren’t yourself when you are drunk, and impairment can affect a number of senses.
The Fourth Event of the week is a “Late Night BBQ” on Nov.10 at 11p.m. in the counseling Center Parking Lot. It will featured food from the grill, lawn games, as well as a DJ. If you went to the other events during the week and collected a ticket from each event, then you were eligible to win a $50 campus book- store gift card.
Upon speaking to Bryan Rivas, he stated that, “The purpose of Alcohol Awareness Week is to bring awareness of the effects and consequences of alcohol, particularly at Susquehanna University.”
He continued: “The week was composed of many educational and social events for students to meet new peers while learning new information and having fun. We want our students to be safe, to be engaged, and to be aware of our campus policies.”