Chocolate Wasted ? Teaches Safety Skills Around Alcohol ?

Pictured above: Students turned out for chocolate treats and an education program about being safe and keeping others safe around alcohol. | Photos by Katrina Erickson

By Katrina Erickson
Holcombe Hall Resident Assistant

On Wednesday evening, students got wasted at the Greek Theatre! Chocolate wasted, that is.

The purpose of the Sept. 13 event is to educate students on negative effects of alcohol and party culture. Upon arrival, each student received a party passport and they went through four information tents to get stamps on their tickets. Once they completed the passport, they could enter the party on the stage!!

At the first tent, students talked to No Woman Left Behind interns. No Woman Left Behind is a program that aims to educate about sexual assault and gender issues on college campuses. Students learned that intoxication often plays a significant role in sexual assault cases. At the beginning of school, it is critical to educate new students about sexual assault, because 50 percent of all cases occur within the first few months of school.

While the statistics can be sobering, it is so good to know that so many resources exist on campus and our university is dedicated to preventing and reporting sexual assault.

Next, students learned from RESPECT (Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought), a program run by Pat Walker Health Center. RESPECT has started a new campaign called #That’sSo6Percent. Did you know that 6 percent of rapists are committing 24 percent of the sexual assaults? This is partly because many victims feel to afraid to report their attackers. RESPECT is committed to ending rape culture and misogyny while promoting victims’ rights. Students learned that they should watch out for their friends at parties.

“If someone is too drunk to drive, they are too drunk to have sex with someone,” a RESPECT intern said.

After attending every tent, students got to join the party!!

It was chocolate heaven with cake, candy, chocolate milk, chocolate-covered strawberries, and cookies. Students played chocolate milk pong and corn-hole, danced, and took photos at the chocolate-themed photo booth. Chocolate Wasted allowed students to learn about alcohol and sexual assault in a delicious way.

Alcohol has a big impact on our campus, especially with new students.

Natalie Friend is a sophomore international relations major from Kansas City. Also an RA in Maple Hill, Natalie has seen the negative effects of alcohol. When asked about how she sees alcohol impacting people, she said

“Every freshman comes to college searching for a community. Unfortunately, many try to find that community in the party scene. They think that underage drinking will make them fit in and that it’s the only way to have fun. However, partying is like going to Las Vegas. It’s fun for a little while, but then it starts to wear on you. It seems glamorous from the outside, but it’s much darker and dangerous then it appears.”

There are so many diverse groups on this campus that are ready to welcome new freshmen.

Everyone can find community somewhere, and they don’t have to turn to drinking. Fayetteville has alcohol-free fun around every corner!

Chocolate Wasted showed students that there are resources and alternatives for drinking, and all of the chocolate was a delicious bonus!