Events on alcohol assumption awareness and finding support with responsible drinking were featured during National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) last week.
The events were hosted and sponsored by Health and Wellness, the University Police Department, Student Housing and Residential Life, Sun Street Centers and the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center. Events were held throughout the week, each with different activities such as relay races, discussions and support initiatives.
Gary Rodriguez, the health promotion and prevention manager with CSUMB’s Health Promotion and Education department, felt the week was important for raising awareness of alcohol consumption on campus because some students do not realize the risks of alcohol use.
“They need to be aware of how to help a friend who may need some help because of their alcohol use,” Rodriguez shared. “So many times, I think our friends don’t really know their limits or push the limits and need someone there to make sure that they’re OK.”
According to Rodriguez, the Health Promotion and Education department hosts events and discussions on a regular basis regarding a variety of health-related topics. CSUMB puts on events for National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week to ensure the safety of students choosing to drink and even for those who choose to stay away from drinking altogether.
“We’d love to talk to students about making healthy choices in regard to alcohol and other substances,” he said.
Students attending the events on campus were able to participate and learn during the week-long recognition. “If it’s not spoken about, then there’s no way for [a] student to feel comfortable to speak to health centers and advocates about the situation,” said Juanita Rizo, a master’s student in social work and an intern at the Health Center. She feels having events on campus about alcohol use are critical for students looking for support and guidance.
This is Rizo’s first year at CSUMB, and the first year she heard about National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. She feels it has been nice to meet with others to talk about the subject.
“It was great to be able to participate in the events,” she said. “I learned a lot in the aspect, like one shot is equal to one beer. The facts you learn during this event [are] really important.”