At a mocktail mixer on Tuesday at Cal State University Long Beach, attendees were asked to pour out what they thought to be appropriate measurements for wine, beer and hard liquor.
After pouring various drinks, attendees estimated that they had served nine servings of alcohol. Hosts of the events then informed them that they had actually measured 26 servings.
Students were then taught to use the measurement levels on Solo cups as a general reference for how much one serving of varying alcoholic beverages are.
Cheryl Drew, a junior recreation major, said she was surprised to learn about the measurements on Solo cups.
“I didn’t realize they labeled the appropriate increments of how much to drink,” Drew said. “I just thought they were part of the design before today.”
Freshmen and transfer students were tested on their knowledge of responsible drinking and serving size as part of the Students in the First Year Experience (FYE) Program.
Attendees participated in various skits and activities to promote the three D’s: distract, delegate and direct. They were taught that these methods are the best way to assist a friend who has had too much to drink.
Students were invited to try on beer goggles, which impaired their vision at various blood-alcohol content levels. They tried to play catch with the goggles on, but were unable to make one successful catch.
They also participated in a trivia game that educated them about categories such as “alcohol at parties” and “alcohol and the law.”
Mara Chavez, a junior graphic design student, said she attended the event to become more informed about safe alcohol drinking practices.
“Usually, students over-exceed their limits, and it is a bad idea because that is how you get alcohol poisoning,” Chavez said. “By learning about this stuff, hopefully students are actually aware of just how much they are drinking before it is too late.”
FYE paired with campus organization Pause to educate and play games with attendees to test their knowledge. Afterwards, students were invited to try “mocktails,” or virgin cocktails.
Pause founder, masters student in education Carlos Martinez, said eh created the organization because he saw the need for educating CSULB about how to be active in difficult settings, such as at parties.
“We don’t want to advocate drinking, but if students do drink, we an them to be prepared with how to take care of themselves and others around them,” Martinez said.
The mocktail mixer is one of four life skill events so far this semester, and this is the second year that the mixer has been held on campus at CSULB. Other life-skill events included scholarship information and nutrition education.
Deanne Barnes, the assistant director of Student Transition & Retention Services (STAR), said the life-skills workshops are intended to provide students with “resources critical in first year success.”
“If students don’t take care of themselves, if they aren’t well, the chances of them succeeding academically decreases,” Barnes said.
Attendance was sparse, with only five students participating. Barnes said this was surprising because the FYE events usually average about 25 to 30 attendees.
“In the end, I hope anyone in attendance will get info that will help them make good decisions about alcohol,” Barnes said. “Whether they chose to drink or not, we just want to be providing them with information to stay safe.”