Starting this semester, the First Saturdays alternative-to-alcohol program will provide free, on-campus events for students who prefer not to engage in drinking culture. They will take place on the first Saturday of each month and were made possible by an innovation grant designed by Cheyenne McQuain, president of The Barista, in collaboration with Associate Director of Student Activities and Leadership Laura Lavoie.

As the office of Student Activities and Leadership continues to work with students to plan events, they have heard increasingly common feedback, particularly in recent years, that there is a subculture of students who do not wish to engage in drinking culture.

This includes students from marginalized groups, international students (for whom U.S. norms around drinking may be different from their culture at home) and U.S. students who come from family or religious backgrounds that do not condone alcohol consumption.

Some students in the past have expressed that, while it is easy to find the party, it is much more difficult to find others who wish to socialize without alcohol. With the geographical location of the North Country, there are limited resources for students to enjoy a “night out” outside of party culture, particularly during the winter months.

First Saturdays events will include a Laser Tag night, a Paint & Sip (with mocktails), a Grocery Bingo night and a Glow-in-the-Dark Roller Rink. The organizers hope that if the events are fun and engaging, they may also draw students who would normally choose to engage in alcohol culture as well.

The first event will take place this Saturday, February 2, at 9 p.m. in the Winston Room and is co-sponsored by The Barista, The Hub and ATO. Members of the Artist Guild have signed up to co-sponsor the Paint ‘n Sip night, and Greek Life will be co-sponsoring the Roller Rink as well.

Since innovation grant funding is not continuous, the promoters of the project hope that different clubs and organizations may want to become involved in the program to continue it into next year.

If any club or organization is interested in co-sponsoring an event for this semester or joining the planning for fall, please contact either Laura Lavoie or Cheyenne McQuain.