Workshop by IFC ups alcohol awareness

By Katrina Garcia
The Collegian

The Interfraternity Council will hold its first alcoholic awareness workshop Monday night to kick off its lecture series promoting safe drinking among students.

The workshop scheduled to take place Monday at 7 p.m. in the University Student Union in Room 312 and is open to all students.

We want to teach how to notice the signs of alcohol abuse,” Kevin Roche, IFC President, said. “We want to teach them ways to still have a good time and do it safely.”

Roche said the workshop is a part of what he calls the “Greek Education Program.” The IFC has already planned several others throughout the spring and fall semesters. Roche said each alcohol awareness workshop will explore different factors that cause binge drinking, including stress, peer pressure and mental health.

Panhellenic and the Order of Omega will also hold their own workshops, some which cater especially to sororities.

Rick Barnes, a professional alcohol awareness speaker, will be the guest lecturer for the workshop. Roche said Barnes is widely known for entertaining his audiences, not just lecturing them.

“He makes it so students get the message without shutting them out,” Roche said.

Students who are in the IFC will also have the opportunity to participate in a competition that promotes alcohol awareness. Students who create the best five-minute video on how to party safely will have a “significant” amount of money donated to a charity of their choice, Roche said.

“It’s a great way to encourage people to get more informed about alcohol awareness,” Roche said.

Comment on this story in the News forum >>