(-- The Beacon)
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This year, UP unveiled Pilot Pride, a new tool to deter binge drinking and other problem behaviors.
Created by Health Center Counselor Kristina Houck, the program defines a "Proud Pilot" as smart, caring, courageous and respectful. Students are encouraged to consider what it means to be a "Proud Pilot" in relation to behaviors involving substance abuse, sexual assault prevention and community involvement.
With three alcohol-related hospitalizations during the Campus Program Board sponsored Dance of the Decades last January, CPB is increasing alcohol education and promoting Pilot Pride, CPB president Sean Ducey said.
Last October, in a new approach to alcohol education, CPB hosted "A Shot of Reality," an improv show that addresses alcohol in a comedic way with skits and fake game shows.
Patrick McIntyre, a coordinator of the show, said students tend to respond best to comedy.
"I think people tend to shut down with the scare tactic approach because they think it won't happen to them," McIntyre said. "With this, there is so much interaction and so much comedy that people seem pretty engaged."
Ducey said CPB will hold another alcohol education event the week before the dance, with discounted dance tickets as an incentive. The dance procedures will be the same as last year's. Students will not be breathalyzed before getting on the bus or be forced to ride the bus to the dance, policy changes that CPB briefly considered last spring but discarded.
If students do choose to ride the bus, they will be patted down on campus and can skip the pat down line at the venue.
Zack Imfeld, senior and president of the Associated Students of the University of Portland (ASUP), hopes Pilot Pride and alcohol education will help shift campus culture.
"There's no policy or resolution we (ASUP) can write," Imfeld said. "It's all about guiding students to make the right decision."
