DATE: October 14, 2008
CONTACT:
Kathy Cauthen, 864-656-3053
kcauthe@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Angela Nixon, 864-656-0382
anixon@clemson.edu
Clemson, Georgia Tech partner to promote tailgating safety
CLEMSON — Students from Clemson University’s EMpower Clemson program and Georgia Tech’s GT SMART will team up to promote tailgating safety during EMpower Blitz Weekend Oct. 17-18.
The weekend will kick off with a proclamation from Clemson Mayor Larry Abernathy at 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at City Hall. Clemson students will join Abernathy in proclaiming the day Empower Day in Clemson.
The theme of the weekend is “Look Out for Your Tailgate Neighbors,” and EMpower Clemson is giving tailgaters six charges to improve tailgate safety: get to know your tailgate neighbors; call for help if you see someone in trouble; if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation; be aware if someone has had too much to drink; make a plan for getting home safely; and clean your tailgate area.
“Whenever one thinks of the ‘Clemson Family,’ the first thing that comes to mind is that tailgating atmosphere on game days. EMpower Clemson is focusing on the tailgating culture on campus in order to directly connect with everyone,” said Michael Lussier, a sophomore civil engineering major from Summerville and chairman of EMpower Clemson’s student advisory board. “By focusing on tailgating safety, we are able to reach the most number of people on an issue that everyone can relate to and understand.”
An EMpower Blitz Tailgate at 9 a.m. Oct. 18 at Littlejohn Coliseum will promote the theme to fans in a fun and festive atmosphere. The free event, which is open to the public, will feature music, food, games and giveaways, as well as alcohol-safety information. Local band Picture Me Free will play, and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity’s step team will perform as part of the fraternity’s Founder’s Week celebration.
At the same time, students at Georgia Tech will hold their own safety-themed tailgating event and viewing party for the game in their student center.
“The message of EMpower Clemson, ‘be responsible,’ does not just apply to one situation or group of people; it relates to everyone,” said Lussier. “By partnering with Georgia Tech, we are able to share the EMpower Clemson message, learn from Georgia Tech and work together to create a theme that can spread further than just our campus.”
“Whenever colleges can work together on something as important as safety, it’s good,” said Marsha Brinkley, project director for GT SMART. “Events like this are a great way to reach out to students, faculty, staff, parents and the community to bring attention to the problem of high-risk drinking and help find solutions.”
GT SMART (Students Managing Alcohol Risk at Tech) is a campus-community coalition established to address high-risk drinking and its harmful effects on Georgia Tech’s campus and in the community. GT SMART is part of the “A Matter of Degree” (AMOD) project, managed by the American Medical Association and developed to reduce alcohol consumption among college students. GT SMART seeks to change the alcohol environment on campus and in the community by focusing its efforts on creating strategies to change the environment that passively permits or actively encourages high-risk drinking.
The primary focus of EMpower Clemson is campus safety and alcohol responsibility. EMpower Clemson aims to promote safe and healthy choices by educating students about campus safety and alcohol and by hosting alternative events such as football tailgates, intramural tournaments, midnight breakfasts and other alcohol- and drug-free entertainment.
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