It's party time with Haveson

By Chhun Sun
The Collegian

Randy Haveson started having doubts in the early 1990s about the alcohol and drug prevention programs for high school and college students.

At the time, he had the credibility to say such a thing as someone who coordinated a number of college health programs in California, Virginia and Georgia — including at the University of the Pacific.

“I found most alcohol programs said the same thing but in different ways. Like, “just say no,” don’t drink alcohol” and “it leads to other drugs,” which is equal to treating college student like they were sixth graders. I got tired of it,” Haveson said in a phone interview from his Atlanta office.

Today, he has found a way to reach out to college students through lectures at college campuses across the country. His presentations are known to be entertaining with a straightforward approach to the effects of alcohol.

Fresno State will be his next stop. Haveson will give a free speech, “Party Time,” at the Satellite Student Union at 7 p.m. today as part of the campus National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. The event is sponsored by the Alcohol Advisory Council in cooperation with a variety of campus programs and organizations.

“Until now, programs told students to just say no and it’s like standing on edge of the swimming pool and being told just don’t drown. And on Monday night I’m going to give them swimming lessons,” Haveson said.

Haveson declined to go into detail about his speech, saying he’d rather have students listen in person to his story of how dangerous alcoholism can become.

But his Web site (www.randyspeaks.com) offers a glimpse into his past.

At 24, Haveson convinced a stranger at the other end of a crisis hotline conversation not to slit his wrist. He understood then how much impact it could make when someone is on the other end listening. Years later, he earned his master’s degree in counseling and became a professional speaker.

But he does not only speak. He listens.

“He listens to the health educators, counselors, student affairs office, residence life, Greek life, college presidents, athletic directors/coaches, student activities directors and orientation directors who seek him out to positively impact college life and the reputation of their school,” Haveson’s Web site says.

In return, people listen too.

Sam Gitchel, health educator with the Student Health Center , listened to Haveson at last spring’s CSU Alcohol Awareness conference in San Jose.

“He’s truly an expert speaker,” said Gitchel, who is coordinating today’s speech. “He’s very warm and experienced with speaking to students. And he’s also very funny.”

Yes, funny he is.

And Haveson agrees.

“Lots of laughs,” he said. “People think of me as more of a comedian than a speaker.”

Once again, he did not mention the details of his jokes, preferring students to hear them in person.

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