Sip Safely: Enjoying the Night While Staying Safe

Responsible serving sizes for alcohol using the lines on a red solo cup. Belmont Vision Multimedia, Bree Fabbie

Belmont University doesn’t allow drinking on campus, but off-campus is another story. 

Over fall break students disperse from campus, going to various places from the lake to the beach to their hometowns. Some stay right here in Nashville.  

After pushing through the stressful weeks leading up to midterms, many will be eager to blow off steam.  

And one way they may do that is drinking. 

Drinking in college is common, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s website, 49% of college students drink alcohol.  

Close to 30% of students engaged in binge drinking within the last month when the survey was taken, which was Jan. 2022. 

There are a number of dangers of over consuming alcohol which includes lowered inhibitions, alcohol poisoning, drunk driving and memory loss. 

If a student ends up in a situation where alcohol is present, there are steps to take to ensure their safety. 

One student who asked to remain anonymous due to Belmont’s policy recommends sharing your location with one, or multiple friends.  

It’s also important to be careful and aware of what you’re drinking. 

“I wasn't gonna drink. It wasn't my intention to. As the night went on, people started offering stuff, and I indulged a little bit just to figure it out. I figured it was a harmless house party,” the student said. 

One of the student’s first times drinking ended up becoming a learning experience for him. 

“Next thing you know I started feeling a little weird - just not right. Because it was one of my first experiences with alcohol, it was more of, I don't know if this is how I should feel. Does it feel good? Feel bad?” said the Belmont student. 

The Belmont student suspects that the drink was altered.  

Since it was one of the student’s first times drinking, the student didn’t know what to expect and was surprised by the feeling. He felt sick for the whole next day. 

Going forward, the student plans to be more aware and always makes sure that his friends are drinking responsibly. 

Deputy Chief of Campus Security, Michael Moultry, offered advice for students who might find themselves in a similarly troubling situation when drinking. 

“Know your limits. I would say to go in with a plan, one drink, two drinks, and it's okay to stop drinking alcoholic beverages and start drinking non-alcoholic beverages. You can still have fun with your friends,” Moultry said. 

He also recommends sharing your location with a friend, never getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking and calling Campus Security if you feel unsafe.  

Depending on how far away from campus a student is, Campus Security can come and pick them up and deliver them safely back to their dorms. 

“It is a huge step in the right direction as a young adult to know that you were about to do something wrong, own that and get the help you need to get back to campus safely,” he said. 

It is also important for students to watch out for one another, keep an eye on your drink and have mixed drinks at home and closed drinks when out. Do not let your friend leave with a stranger from a restaurant, said Moultry. 

“You go to a party together, you come back home to campus together. You never meet friends or new friends out. You meet them the next day,” Moultry said. 

Campus security can be reached for Non-Emergencies at 615-460-6617 and for Emergencies at 615-460-6911. Students can also reach Belmont Title IX at 615-460-6894 or email at titleix@belmont.edu. 

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This article was written by Kaya Fagerstrom