Undergraduate Admissions

When it comes to drinking, the majority of Gannon University students make their own decisions and do not let peer pressure affect them.

And, most Gannon students make a commitment to make sure that their friends get home safely.

Those are two of the messages Gannon administrators will emphasize as social norms on campus when the University observes National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Oct. 19-24. Gannon will engage students in a variety of events designed to change their perceptions as well as their behaviors.

“National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is important because in part, it focuses on students and protecting their health, their academic success, their friendships, and their future,” said Julie Srnka, assistant director of Student Development programs, Gannon University. “We want to empower students to make good decisions by providing them information as well as opportunities to participate in alcohol-free and fun social events.”

Gannon’s events for the week are scheduled as follows:

• Monday, October 19 – The theme will be “Responsible Choices.” From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the University’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St., KnightLIFE (Knight Lifestyle Information for Everyone) will have an informational table to help students realize the importance of making responsible choices with respect to alcohol. Students will be able to try on a pair of “beer goggles,” which simulate the effects of alcohol on vision and perception. Students also can take an alcohol quiz so as to test their knowledge. For example, “A few drinks can reduce your field of vision by up to what percent?” The answer is by up to 30 percent. The table is sponsored by the University’s Office of Student Living and by KnightLIFE.

• Tuesday, October 20 – The theme will be “Taking Care of Friends.” From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the University’s Counseling Center and KnightLIFE will have informational tables on the first floor of the Waldron Center focused on making responsible choices with respect to alcohol and the signs of alcohol poisoning, among other areas. Also on Tuesday, from 9-11 p.m. in Club LaRiccia, basement of Beyer Hall, 628 Peach St., students will be able to sample a root beer keg. Students also will be able to participate in games and get information. “A Round on Us” is sponsored by the University’s office of Student Living and the Panhellenic Council, the student group that oversees Gannon’s sororities.

• Wednesday October 21 – From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Waldron Center, the University’s Health Center and PATCHES (Promoting Awareness Toward a Community of Healthy Educated Students), a student group affiliated with the Health Center, will have information on “Healthy and Smart Choices.”

• Thursday, October 22 – A representative from Erie’s Crime Victim Center will be available on the first floor of the Waldron Center from 5-7 p.m. The representative will share information on how consuming too much alcohol can increase one’s risk of being a victim of a crime, including sexual assault and domestic violence.

• Friday, October 23 – KnightLIFE will sponsor an alcohol-free social event, “Halloween OcSOBERfest,” from 8-11 p.m. in Club LaRiccia. Students can participate in “haunted” games and other activities, including a best costume contest.

• Saturday, October 24 – PATCHES and the University’s Health Center will sponsor an alcohol-free tailgate party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Health Center, located at Harborview Apartments, 210 West 6th St. The tailgate will lead up to the Gannon football team’s 1 p.m. Homecoming game against Lock Haven at Gannon University Field, West 5th and Sassafras streets.