"The measure of a Life is its Service."
Sam Houston State University’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative and colleges across the country will have a number of activities on tap beginning Monday (Nov. 3) for the National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.
The week, designed to prevent alcohol-related tragedies on campuses all over the nation, will kick off at 11 a.m., when associate professor of history Ty Cashion will show students how alcohol and drug-related attitudes have changed over the years.
During “Reeling through the years: Alcohol, Drugs and Bearkats,” in Academic Building IV Room 307, Cashion will dispel myths regarding the behavior of SHSU students in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as well as discuss what the party scene was like when 18 year olds could legally drink and whether pot-smoking Bearkats during the ‘60s really risked going to prison if caught partaking.
From noon to 3 p.m., the ADAI will take students on a physiological journey of the effects of the lethal doses of alcohol on the body through a variety of mock drinking games with “Lethal Doses: Beer Pong, Quarters, and Shooters” in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area.
On Tuesday (Nov. 4), students can learn the “truth and consequences” of a new and popular drinking trend, mixing energy drinks with alcohol from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.
“Energy drinks have risen in popularity among college students in the last five years,” said Lisa Joyner, ADAI assistant. “Mixing of these drinks creates a synergistic effect on the human body that can lead to an unreal sense of alertness of the part of the consumer while they are physically and mentally impaired.”
That afternoon, the ADAI will provide a new twist on the saying “you are what you eat” with “U R What U Drink,” from 2-4 p.m. in LSC Room 304. During the event, health educator Pam Kosti will discuss the nutritional value of alcohol and the role that exercise can have on the battle of the bulge.
“Beer bellies are not from beer alone,” Joyner said. “Calories and fat grams are often hidden in popular alcoholic beverages and can account for a large percentage of weight gain and belly fat.”
Wednesday’s (Nov. 5) programming features sexual issues students may encounter, including an interactive health fair on “Crabs, Bedbugs, and Babies” from
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area and a sexual awareness discussion.
During “Sex Undercover: Sheets of Awareness,” from 1-2 p.m. in LSC 304, sexuality educators will give advice on exaggerated inhibitions and activities under the influence of alcohol, abstinence, communication skills, contraceptive techniques, and sexually transmitted diseases/infections and prevention.
Participants will also be allowed to make a quilt square depicting a sexual awareness fact that will be displayed in the LSC Mall Area.
On Thursday (Nov. 6), University Police Department and Walker County officers will share state laws and university policies on alcohol, including underage drinking, zero tolerance and violations such as driving while intoxicated, during “Stars, Stripes, and Bars.”
During the event, officers will also discuss the personal, professional and financial consequences of being charged with a violation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.
From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., political science visiting professor Mike Yawn will lead a colorful and controversial discussion about the intersection of politics, alcohol, and drugs in America.
“Alcohol and the Red, White, and Blue,” in LSC Room 304, will also take on alcohol and the demise of political careers, the politics of drug and alcohol regulations, and portrayals of alcohol and political power in the media.
Finally, the NCAAW will culminate on Friday (Nov. 7) with the ADAI’s third annual Alcohol Summit, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the third floor of the LSC.
The conference will “Rise Above the Influence” with a variety of speakers and workshops designed to educate the university community about risky alcohol consumption and the legal and social ramifications of irresponsible choices.
For more information on any of the NCAAW or Alcohol Summit events, contact ADAI coordinator Rosanne Keathley at 936.294.1171 or hpe_rsk@shsu.edu or visit www.shsu.edu/adai.
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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Oct. 28, 2008
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Brian Domitrovic, assistant professor of history, appeared on Book TV (C-SPAN) May 1-2, speaking about his recent book "Econoclasts: The Rebels Sparked the Supply Side Revolution and Restored American Prosperity" (www.econoclasts.net).
Houston Chronicle education writer Jeannie Kever recently turned to Regents Professor of English Paul Ruffin for his views on university presses moving toward "digital books" as opposed to traditional ink-on-paper."We're fulfilling the ancient role of the university press, and that is to produce books," said Paul Ruffin, the Texas poet laureate for 2009 and director of the Texas Review Press at Sam Houston State University. "I don't want to give up the book because it is an art."
Monday, May 3
Tuesday, May 4
"The measure of a Life is its Service."