Thursday, September 4, 2008
Missy Lightner, Leawood freshman, went to the Lied Center Wednesday night for a lecture about the dangers of alcohol. She had heard alcohol education talks before and thought she knew what to expect. But last night was more than a talk. Last night, Lightner and others in attendance at the annual alcohol education event “Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself” saw what happened when a police officer gives a field sobriety test.
“I didn’t realize how obvious the signs the officers look for are,” Lightner said. “I didn’t know something little mattered.”
Arnold Phommavong, Springdale, Ark., senior, Bill Walberg, El Dorado, Ca., senior, Kevin Campbell, Overland Park senior, Leslie Rhoton, Lawrence senior, and Alex Rock, Lawrence senior, demonstrate the effects of alcohol during “Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself,” a program aimed at educating students about the grave consequences of drunken driving. In addition to field sobriety tests, representatives from KUPD, Lawrence Memorial Hospital and KU Legal Services spoke at the event.
Student leaders from Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association and Student Union Activities appeared on stage to perform field sobriety tests. Four were intoxicated under police supervision and one was sober. A leader from the Department of Student Housing was scheduled to participate in the tests but became ill during the supervised drinking in preparation for the sobriety test. Nurses cared for her backstage.
In addition to the field sobriety tests, a registered nurse from Lawrence Memorial Hospital presented a graphic slide show of three emergency room cases — all were the result of alcohol.
“It was kind of scary because you never see the dangerous side,” Lightner said.
Lightner, a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, was one of almost 1,000 members of the greek community in attendance.
The event was open to all University of Kansas students. However, non-greek attendance seemed to be very low.
Morgan Cheeseman, Columbus sophomore, lives in Douthart Scholarship Hall. She said she saw only four people she knew were not part of the greek community.
“There’s a definite rift between housing and the greek community,” Cheeseman said. “But this event wasn’t a good place to see it because they’re [the fraternity and sorority members] required to go.”
Demonstration focus on alcohol awareness
An event will be given at the Lied Center that will inform ...
A sobering struggle
College students with alcoholism fight to overcome their addiction in an alcohol-infused ...
Service sorority chapter starting at KU
Omega Phi Alpha’s primary focus is community service; applications will be accepted ...
Excessive and accepted
Lawrence, KU culture may contribute to students' high levels of alcohol consumption.
Student's memory honored among Greeks
Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Delta Gamma hosted an initiative for Jason Wren, ...
Freshmen learn the ways of Greek Life
A sobering reality
Two years after Jason Wren's death, what has changed?
Athletics Department to help promote alcohol awareness
Rock Chalk Responsible Choices helps promote awareness to campus groups such as ...
Alcohol on the brain: a look at ...
Binge drinking may have negative long-term effects that many students don’t realize.
Father calls for change after son's death
Jay Wren says both fraternity environment and his son are partially to ...
A look at KU's changing face of ...
University's turbulent past has evolved into a somewhat tranquil state of activism.
Students learn how to handle alcohol
Group hosts Jason Wren Initiative to educate University community about taking responsibility ...
Memory of Jason Wren educates students about ...
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge died of alcohol poisoning in 2009.
Life after drunken driving: fines, counseling and ...
In Lawrence 83 KU students recieved OUIs (operating the influence) in 2005. ...
KC Wizards to hold College Night
For $20, students can be transported to and from the Saturday night ...
For multicultural sororities, the rush continues
Changes abound in sorority recruitment
Sorority recruitment underwent a plethora of changes this year—new schedule, new events, ...
A staggering tragedy
Friends and family look for answers while struggling to cope with an ...
New award presented at greek ceremony
At the annual Interfraternal Council and Panhellenic awards ceremony, Beta Theta Chi ...
Malicious Intimacy
Four students' experiences with domestic violence.
Center promotes sex and alcohol safety
Event held to educate students on how to increase personal safety while ...
Greek community commemorates Jason Wren
Rick Barnes spoke to the greek community to observe the second annual ...
Wren lawyer says police investigation may not ...
Greek organizations might also be changing alcohol policies as Wren family files ...
Student athletes teach children healthy lifestyles
“Candyland” tops Rock Chalk Revue
Sigma Kappa and Sigma Phi Epsilon take best in show.
University women’s GPAs exceed men’s
Jason Wren’s life commemorated
Students, friends, family gathered on the front lawn of Sigma Alpha Epsilon ...
A sobering conversation
University struggles to address the complexities of alcohol policy in the wake ...
Students step it up for show
University’s alcohol initiatives considered good start
Researchers say new initiatives must control alcohol consumption in entire Lawrence community ...
Greek awards recognize achievements of 2003
Members of the greek community gathered at the Lied Center last night ...
University uses campaigns class project
The class created the Jayhawk Buddy System, which can be seen across ...
Study reaffirms KU alcohol abuse prevention efforts
Joint efforts between KU and the community helps prevent risky drinking habits.
Library exhibit raises AIDS awareness
Health educators say students don’t take the disease and its effects seriously ...
AlcoholEdu survey results confirm problems
The University’s alcohol task force received its first glimpse of the statistics ...
Nursing school faces faculty shortage
Students find it harder to be admitted with fewer instructors teaching classes.
KU Freshman found dead after falling off ...
Officials say the 18-year-old freshman fell off the roof of Watkins Scholarship ...
A journey toward faith
Garrett Fugate decided to convert to Islam after spending time with Lawrence ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID