Posted on April 24, 2008
The SGA has released a booklet that offers more than 50 alternatives to drinking for current and prospective students, in an effort to diminish JMU’s “party school” reputation.
The student-published booklet “So You Think JMU is a Party School? More than 50 Things to do at JMU Besides Drink and Party” includes six sections: on-campus, immediate area, road trips, outdoor recreation, dining and seasonal. Each section suggests different activities and places such as UREC Adventure Programs, UPB events, salsa dancing, cosmic bowling, skiing, ice cream shops and cafés.
The booklet provides an estimated price, a short description and directions for each alternative.
“It’s really to encourage students that it’s not ‘don’t drink, don’t ever drink,’ but there are alternatives,” former SGA President Lee Brooks said. “Not everyone at JMU will want to drink when they come here and it’s not the only thing there is to do. There are a lot of other quality things to do.”
The idea of the booklet originated from Brooks, who used it as a main platform in the SGA presidential election last October. When elected, Brooks began the production process, recruiting other SGA members and students dedicated to the purpose. Meetings were held every other week to decide what would be included in the booklet and to assign research. The booklet had been in the editing process for the last two months and was made available to students Friday.
Alcohol consultants came earlier in the year to evaluate drinking and party life at JMU, offering the SGA support and motivation for the booklet. President Rose and JMU administration also funded most of the production, Brooks said.
The booklet is available to current students in Taylor 203, Sonner Hall, Off Campus Life, Student Organization Services, the Health Center and Taylor Down Under, and will be accessible on the SGA and SOS Web sites later this week.
