A recent residence hall program called “Life’s a Beach” raised awareness for residents about binge drinking and consent just in time for spring break.

Residence Hall Coordinator Krystal Muckle brainstormed with the staff of Illinois State’s Manchester Hall to come up with programming ideas for the spring semester.

“We knew that spring break would be a time where college students might consume a high alcohol intake and make concerning decisions. We wanted to host a program that would address this,” Muckle said.

Reggie decorated for Housing program

Even Reggie was decorated with a grass skirt and lei.

Throughout the Vrooman lobby March 2, hall staff decorated with the theme of Life’s a Beach, complete with Reggie wearing a grass skirt and lei. With lots of snacks and activities, residents and students were engaged with the program throughout the evening.

Participants could make sand art, play with hula hoops, and take turns playing water pong. With each shot you made, a piece of trivia was read regarding binge drinking.

Representatives from Health Promotion and Wellness were also available with spring break kits and giveaways for students leaving campus.

HPW table at the event

University Housing teamed up with Health Promotion and Wellness staff.

Amanda Papinchock, Health Promotion and Wellness coordinator, helped collaborate with University Housing staff on this program and was helping dispel myths about drinking.

Health Promotion and Wellness has the expertise on this topic and provided assistance from Student Wellness Ambassador Team (SWAT), donated prizes, and helped facilitate activities during the program, according to Muckle.

For each program done in the halls, it takes a minimum of one month to refine all the details. All the staff are brought in and assigned different tasks to complete in order to make it successful.