Results of last summer’s Freshman Survey, administered during 1998 Phase II Orientation, showed that many new Appalachian State students were coming to Boone with behaviors that are antithetical to the mission of the university.

Almost two-thirds (65.9 percent) of incoming freshmen said they had drank more than one beer in a sitting prior to arriving at the Boone campus, and 65.5 percent said they plan to drink more than one beer in a sitting while here.  Almost three-fourths (73.8 percent) of ASU’s incoming freshmen said they had had more than one drink of liquor in a sitting before coming to Boone, and 71.8 percent said they plan to have more than one drink of liquor per sitting while at the university.

Those results are a sobering revelation to university administrators faced with growing local and national pressures to curb drinking by students.  In fact, the figures are extremely upsetting, as they indicate a tremendous potential for underage drinking by ASU students, a behavior that could, if students are caught, result in expulsion from the university and a police record that would follow them for the rest of their lives.

Since ASU experienced negative publicity concerning alcohol consumption and campus crime the previous year, several initiatives and programs were implemented this year to address underage drinking and alcohol abuse.

The Division of Student Development sponsored “First Night,” an alcohol-free, campus-wide celebration for students to kick off the beginning of the academic year.

First Night was designed to replace “Block Party,” a celebration that in previous years involved drinking by new and returning students and had resulted in friction between campus authorities, Boone police, and students, since the celebration was unofficial and took place off-campus.

The university brought the celebration on campus five years ago to impose some limits on the celebration and to limit friction between the town and the university.  Over the years, the celebration was held in several locations, and strict limits on the amount of beer allowed students were imposed.

First Night, however, saw the event moved to Sanford Mall, the university’s main quad area, and a no alcohol policy imposed.  

Attendance in August was down considerably from previous years, as students seeking ways to drink stayed away. Indications were that these students did not congregate into sizeable off-campus groups for celebrating the return to school.  Freshmen attending First Night found plenty of non-alcoholic refreshments available, along with games and activities that provided a carnival atmosphere.

Administrators were pleased with the response and indicated that the alcohol-free concept would continue in the years ahead.  Whether Block Party will raise its ugly, off-campus head again is uncertain, but if it does, the university and local authorities will work to keep it from returning to its former size.

In addition to First Night, the university Counseling Center offers the Alcohol and Drug Assistance Program to provide students with confidential, individual assessment and counseling.

Campus prevention activities sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug Assistance Program included the Risque Business theater troupe, the Wellness Peer Educators, the Alcohol and Drug Assistance Prevention Committee awareness campaigns, and a campus-wide campaign addressing alcohol abuse.