“Come sign a pledge to not drink and drive” was heard Wednesday in Baker University’s Harter Union Lobby as the health center rallied to get students to vow to have a safe spring break.
This 17-year tradition of Safe Break Day is put on by the Baker University Health Center and nursing students in accordance with “We Care 4 U” in an attempt to raise awareness and, according to the bright orange pledge sheets, promote “having a safe break to remember.”
“We want students to take care of each other,” Ruth Sarna, director of student health services, said. “If something happens to their friend, I want them to ask ‘what was it that Ruth was talking about?’ and know what to do.”
In addition to the pledge, the event also promoted safe sex and reminded students to wear their seat belt while driving. Sarna had brightly colored information sheets for students to take with general alcohol facts about the negative aspects of alcohol and the caloric intake that comes with drinking.
As an incentive to get students to sign the pledge, Safe Break Day included a gift card give-away, neon pencils with sayings such as “drunk drivers can’t erase their mistakes,” information packets and games. The Jazz Band played as background music to the stumbles and trips that came with students wearing drunk or night-vision goggles.
Sarna hopes students will note that people should not let a drunk friend sleep it off, because this could result in alcohol poisoning. She also wants students to be responsible and be aware that the decisions they make could not only affect them personally, but others as well.
“(I signed the pledge because) I don’t want to put other people in danger,” sophomore Stephanie Nelson said. “I want to make smart decisions this break and not hurt others.”
Nelson was one of 135 students who promised to play it safe this break.
Although Sarna said she knows some students only signed the pledge out of moral obligation or because their friends did, she hopes that just putting the word out and raising awareness will increase students’ sensitivity to their personal safety and well-being.
“We want to help them know what is happening around them,” Sarna said. “And like I say, it’s better to have a friend angry at you than dead.”
