On Sept. 12, 2011, Bradley greeks helped host a Late Night BU to counter parties inspired by the end of fraternity and sorority recruitment, commonly known as Blackout Monday.
With nearly 1,880 students in attendance, many of which were greek, the university and greek executive board members deemed Greek Night BU a success.
In 2012 and 2013, similar events were repeated, and again, the two events were deemed successes.
But along came Blackout Tuesday 2014.
Students went without any sort of Greek Night BU, social media hype skyrocketed with talk of plans to get overtly drunk, and students prepared to skip Wednesday classes in order to recover.
Why this year’s post-recruitment celebrations were so widely publicized and bought into is still unclear, but one thing is for sure: it went too far.
To clarify, Blackout Tuesday is not solely a greek activity. Although its inception began with the concept of celebrating the end of greek recruitment, greek and non-greek students alike participate in these so-called festivities.
While this night has historically been more hype than follow through, this year proved to be very different from previous ones.
With public urination, people stumbling to and from various party locations, two transports to nearby hospitals for alcohol poisoning and six of nine alcohol-related calls requiring medics, it is blatantly obvious that Blackout Tuesday was no joking matter.
We could say these reports all taking place on the same night is a mere coincidence, or we could be honest with ourselves and address the real problem.
Blowing a .221 or .284 BAC, realities of this year’s festivities, is not funny. And quite frankly, that should never happen for any reason – Blackout Tuesday or not.
We’re not scolding; we’re drawing attention to the fact that Tuesday night was out of control.
That is not an overstatement. That is not an attempt to stir up drama. It is a report backed by unfortunately shocking numbers.
No one should binge drink until alcohol poisoning takes its course. And with those nine alcohol-related police reports filed between 11:34 p.m. Sept. 9 and 2:53 a.m. Sept. 10, it is obvious that self-control was not something exercised Tuesday night.
Having a few drinks, celebrating a new beginning, socializing– that’s one thing. We’re college students, and we’re expected to let loose and have a little fun.
But blacking out? If these days are supposed to be some of the best days of our lives, remembering why they were some of the best is a part of that.
Drinking is a means of being social; it is not to be abused to a point of no return.
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 1,825 students between 18 and 24 die from alcohol poisoning or alcohol-related injuries every year.
Each time you binge drink, you set yourself up with opportunities to join that statistic. No one wants that for you, and you should not want that for yourself.
H.E.A.T. could give presentations every day, SONOR could post flyers on every corner and the police could put 10 times as many officers on patrol, but nothing is going to change until students make a conscious choice to be smart about it.
So now we’re asking you: what will you choose?
Will you choose to cut yourself off when you know you’re nearing your limit? Will you choose not to encourage or pressure others to binge drink? Will you choose to avoid high-risk situations?
Actions speak louder than words.
The ball is in your court now. Choose wisely.
