Shipwrecked or Sober: You Choose' Week

Fairmont State students will observe Alcohol, Substance Abuse and Sexuality Awareness Week with a combination of events surrounding the theme"Shipwrecked or Sober: You Choose."

During the weeklong observance, students will hear from a variety of speakers and participate in a number of alcohol-free social activities featuring free food and prizes. An information booth will be located inside the entrance of the Falcon Center on Monday through Thursday, Oct. 23-26, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

On Monday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. in the Ruth Ann Musick Library, Multi-media Room A, students will have the opportunity to hear from Pruntytown Correctional Facility inmates who have been incarcerated for crimes related to drug and alcohol abuse. This event is being sponsored by Alpha Phi Sigma. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 10 people attending.

"The inmates hold nothing back and will answer any question about their lives, problems and plans for the future," said Kat Stevens, Director of Counseling for Fairmont State. "We have had inmates come to this event at Fairmont State for more than 12 years, and the program they present is always uplifting, emotional and encouraging."

On Tuesday, Oct. 24, from noon-1:30 p.m. inside the main entrance to the Falcon Center, BYOB (Bring Your Own Banana) will be the featured event. Students will be given free banana splits courtesy of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Also, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., students will have the opportunity to try out "sobriety glasses." The glasses show the wearer how alcohol distorts your faculties. The winning negotiator of the Sobriety Glasses Obstacle Course will win an iPod Shuffle. At 3 p.m. in the library's Multi-media Room A, Rachel Chapman of HOPE Inc. will present, "Sexual Health." This event is being sponsored by Delta Zeta.

On Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 2-3 p.m. in the library's Multi-media Room A, "HIV 101: Faces of AIDS" will be presented by John Michael Gillispie from Caritas House. This event is being sponsored by Family and Consumer Science. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 10 people in attendance.

On Thursday, Oct. 26, from 11-11:50 a.m., "WV Family Planning: Services We Provide and How to Prevent a Pregnancy," will be presented by Nishmer Govine. This event, sponsored by the Black Student Union, will be held in the library's Multi-media Room B. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 10 people in attendance. From 7-8:30 p.m., Student Government will cap the week with a mix-off emceed by WVAQ's Lacy Neff. Free T-shirts will also be given away during this event, which will be held in the Colebank Hall Gym. Students who come dressed as a character from the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest," will have a chance to win an MP3 player for best costume.