“Blackout Elon,” a campaign launched in the spring by the Office of Substance Education and SPARKS Peer Educators to correct misconceptions about student drinking, returns this month with a series of events that publicize statistics of drinking behaviors among students.
Campaign elements include the premiere of three movie trailer “spoofs” played throughout the week, a College Coffee event on Nov. 18, a Blackout Elon Day on Nov. 19, and a Lighthouse Tavern event on Nov. 20.
“We want to change how this word (blackout) is used,” said Molly Heffernan, a SPARKS Peer Educator. “This campaign aims to blackout misconceptions about the drinking behaviors of Elon students.”
The National College Health Assessment survey conducted at Elon in the spring shows that there may be a disconnect between what students believe to be the social norms and the true statistics about drinking behaviors. Some of the survey findings include:
88% of Elon students who drink use a designated driver.
66% of Elon students who drink keep track of how many drinks they have consumed.
85% of Elon students who drink eat before and/or during drinking.
This semester, Blackout Elon will strive to get these messages about alcohol out to the students. The campaign begins week with the premiere of movie trailer “spoofs” based on Pulp Fiction, E.T. and Napoleon Dynamite.
The trailers can be viewed by clicking the link to the right of this page. Alcohol statistics are incorporated into the videos as well as on movie posters displayed throughout campus.
At College Coffee on Nov. 18, students can show their support by leaving their own mark, a thumbprint, on a display poster. They can also pick up a free t-shirt, mug, pen or magnet.
On Nov. 19, Blackout Elon Day, students will be encouraged to wear all black and pass information to other students in the form of clothespins that will be distributed throughout the day. A Moseley table will be available with more information and giveaways.
The final event will be at Lighthouse Tavern on Nov. 20, and students will again be reminded of the low risk drinking behaviors of their peers and encouraged to do the same.
For more information about substance education, contact Lauren Martin at lmartin10@elon.edu or (336) 278-7285.