It’s been said before, but on a weekend like this one it never hurts to say it again: stay safe.
Little 5 weekend is drinking primetime, with day parties, DJs, concerts and competition. With the weather as perfect as it’s supposed to be this weekend, conditions are ripe for a good time.
And let’s just say it: a good time of the kind had a Little 5 includes a lot of binge-drinking. While drinking to excess is never the best idea, doing it again and again over a two, three or even four-day stretch can be a recipe for disaster.
Go out with a plan in mind for how much you want to drink, and stick to that number. Utilize the buddy system, and be a part of bystander intervention. There are ample resources on campus dedicated to keeping students safe, so eat the free pizza, drink the free water and call on campus CATs if you need them.
At all times, stay aware. With the presence of excise police on campus, making smart drinking choices is important even for those of you choosing to imbibe only a little. Even if you’re over age, open container laws are still in place, so drinking at the race just isn’t smart.
Lastly, public safety, unlike excise, are not out to get you. Officers are there to keep you safe. Don’t be afraid to utilize Indiana’s Lifeline Law and call if you are worried about a friend.
It’s a big weekend, and DePauw University students know how to have a good time. But a good time can end as abruptly as it began if we don’t keep each other safe and make good choices.