Alexis Williams | Assistant News Editor

Student Senate has taken the initiative to teach the student body of Buena Vista University (BVU) about the dangers of alcohol and how to drink responsibly in the first ever Beavers Educating Everyone Responsibly (B.E.E.R.) Week which is taking place this week.

With the increase in cases of alcohol poisoning on campus this year, the Student Affairs Office brought proposed the idea to Student Senate of educating their peers about what is happening, what could happen, and why dangerous drinking should stop. Senate decided to move forward with teaching their peers about what could happen if the behaviors continued; this led to the creation of B.E.E.R. Week.

“The goal of B.E.E.R. Week is to educate students on the potential dangers of alcohol and how to avoid dangerous situations. There is a way to drink safely, and that’s what Senate is trying to teach students,” sophomore senator Austin Groth said.

Throughout campus this week, there are posters with statistics about the dangers of alcohol. Additionally, there are body outlines throughout the forum that display more information intending to shock those who walk past.

The week is full of events to both teach and promote better drinking habits and more alcohol awareness. Monday began with goodie bags. Tuesday there was a Sawtooth performance to educate students about the dangers and consequences of overdosing on alcohol. Wednesday the students will pair up with the Residence Life staff to create a night full of fun, and Thursday night there is The Zombie Bash at the Outdoor Recreation house.

After a week full of information and fun, the campaign finishes up on Friday with an alternative event to drinking with a night of games in the Lamberti Recreation Center.

“Our intention was to have fun rather than preach, and we created events that would do that. The week is filled with getting candy, watching shows that make us laugh, drinking yummy mocktails and learning trivia, eating s’mores and celebrating Halloween, and spending time in the Fieldhouse playing sports instead of drinking. Seriously, what could be better?” Student Senate President Caitlin Hoffman said.

According to Hoffman, Student Senate put a lot of thought, time, and effort into this week, because they care about the students and the privileges currently given to students. Senate made the effort to collaborate with other groups on campus in order to make their event more effective and to include others in this collective action; the support of other groups is necessary for change here at BVU.

“Peer-to-peer education might be just the thing BVU needs to make a change. And not just that, we’re having fun while doing it. We want everyone to walk away from this week knowing that they should be aware of the problems that alcohol brings and to have a renewed understanding of how to drink responsibly,” Hoffman said.

Photo by Tyson Domingo