National Alcohol Awareness Week hits Oberlin campus

Every year another sad tale splashes over the covers of national news magazines and television programs: a college student has died of alcohol poisoning. The stories are not unfamiliar, but may be foreign to one's everyday experiences.

Oberlin has never had a student die of alcohol poisoning, but Residential Life staff said that should not stop students from learning awareness of the dangers of alcohol.

"Oberlin is a very different place when it comes to that," Director of Residential Life and Services Yeworkwha Belachew said. "Knock on wood."

To raise awareness of the dangers that surround alcohol use, the College is observing Alcohol Awareness Week next week, though its observation is a few weeks late.

"The National Alcohol Awareness Week that happens every year happens during our Fall Break," Area Coordinator Jennifer George said. The College therefore decided to observe it next week. George was involved in planning the events, including the alcohol-free ballroom dance Scombada on Saturday night and numerous programs by faculty members.

George said the point of alcohol awareness week events is to provide students with the opportunity to learn about the effects of alcohol. "We're trying to give more information so students can make better choices," George said.

The College has seen three cases of possible alcohol poisoning and one confirmed case this year. Belachew said that was normal. "We see a lot of off-campus parties affecting first-year students," Belachew said.

"A lot of people are experimenting and are not sure what their tolerance levels are," George said.

In fact, a survey taken two years ago about alcohol use at Oberlin indicated that only 50 to 60 percent of first-years had previous experiences with alcohol. Though Belachew admitted that figure seems conservative, it does indicate the great number of students who are using alcohol for the first time.

Belachew said most problems from alcohol use by students are a result of off-campus parties where hard liquor is served.

"One thing we are doing is talking to students who are off-campus about their parties. They're still part of the institution and they have a responsibility," Belachew said. On campus parties are more subdued and rarely result in problems.

Belachew expressed some confusion about why students enjoy parties at Oberlin. "I don't even know if students are having a good time," Belachew said about many party-goers. "It seems like a lot of people standing there looking at each other. I haven't seen any major interaction."

The College does not see much binge drinking. However, when a dorm resident does have too much to drink, Resident Coordinators (RCs) are instructed to watch over them until the next day and speak to that resident about the incident.

"Alcohol is not the focus at Oberlin College," Belachew said.

Beer at the Feve: Can students hold their liquor? (photo by Heidi Good)