WSU Gives Alternatives to Drinking for May Daze

As an alternative to the traditional parties following the annual May Daze festivities, this year an After May Daze event with a variety of activities will take place on campus.

A late night cookout will follow the scheduled activities to bring people back to campus. All participants in After May Daze are invited to attend the free event to eat hamburgers, pop, chips and other snacks. The grills will be fired up by approximately 10:00 p.m. in the area surrounding the Forest Lane Apartments.

"I think that students at Wright State complained that all there is to do is drink," said Dan Bertsos, director of residence services. "May Daze is monumental to that philosophy, so we're going to offer some choices. We're going to offer some variety for students who choose not to drink and those students looking for alternatives."

All students who participate will receive a V.I.P. Pass. If they participate in all three time tiers they will receive a free t-shirt at the end of the night. Prizes will be raffled off throughout the evening. Participants will be eligible to win Wright State memorabilia including lanyards, key chains and t-shirts. The main prize is planned to be two day-passes to Kings Island.

Bertsos said they are offering as many interesting venues as possible in hopes that the access to different events will be appropriate to all students.

In addition, the WSU police department is working with several law enforcement agencies that will be on patrol. "Our primary concern is student welfare," said David Finnie, assistant chief of police. "Our goal is never to see how many students we can arrest; it's to be a presence." The Ohio Investigative Unit will be walking around in plain clothes on and off campus throughout the day. The Ohio State Patrol, Fairborn and Beavercreek police departments, Greene Co. sheriffs and military police will be monitoring the area. Finnie said the concern about driving under the influence is why the other agencies are involved.

Finnie also said there will be zero tolerance for alcohol in public and it will not be tolerated on university property. He suggests participating in the After May Daze events on campus. "They are an awesome alternative instead of jeopardizing safety and instead of getting in trouble like parties have in the past." There were 17 arrests made last year during May Daze and after May Daze events.

Another change from past years is that the traditional after May Daze parties will not be concentrated in the Cimarron Apartments. The complex is under new management and stricter security is being enforced. Finnie recommends everyone exercises good judgment and self control. And, as in past practice, says to keep cups upside down when in a public place.