The week before fall classes start is always one filled with enthusiastic new students moving to campus for the first time. Parents bring their students to Moscow and help them move into dorm rooms or Greek houses before they drive away teary-eyed and leave their children to become adults on the University of Idaho campus.
It’s an exciting transition and one most 18-year-olds can’t wait to make. Moving out of their parents’ house, making their own rules, eating whatever they want, not having to check in or abide by a curfew — all sound great to new college students.
And it’s true. College is a new place with new people and opportunities around every corner. It’s also true that the stereotypical college culture of drinking and partying exists on the UI campus, and many new students are intrigued by the “young, wild and free” philosophy. And that’s OK.
It’s OK to try new things, go out the night before a test and have too much fun on a Friday night … if you’re willing to accept the consequences — a lower grade on a test or a pounding headache the next day.
Despite the idea that college is a time to go crazy, forget your inhibitions and do things deemed only acceptable during the four (or five) years you’ll be in college, it’s still necessary to assume responsibility for your actions.
UI recently launched the ‘I Got Your Back’ campaign, a campaign that promotes campus safety and Vandals helping Vandals.
This is not a campaign asking you to stop drinking, stop party hopping on Greek row or stop going out on weeknights.
The ‘I Got Your Back’ campaign asks that when you do go out, you’re watching out for others who may have put themselves in a dangerous situation.
Intervene when you see a girl at a party who’s had a few too many drinks, and looks like she’s about to head into a dark corner with a boy who’s also had one too many.
Use the buddy system when you go out.
If you’re not walking, decide who will be the Designated Driver before you start drinking.
Watch out for other people who might be thinking about driving after drinking three red solo cups of pink panty droppers in 30 minutes.
Have one another’s backs. That’s all the campaign asks. Have unlimited amounts of fun, but be smart, safe and know your limits, and the limits of those you go out with. If something doesn’t seem right, speak up. You’ll never know what might have happened if you didn’t.
Watching someone deal with a traumatic situation like rape or losing fellow Vandals — friends, classmates or complete strangers — is never easy, especially when it’s the result of a situation that could have been avoided if someone had stepped up.
No action is too small, even ‘accidentally’ knocking over someone’s cup to keep them from drinking more is better than doing nothing at all.
The 2013-2014 school year should be one to remember, not one to mourn or regret. So have fun, enjoy your college years and have each other’s backs.
Kaitlyn Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]