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St. Cloud State University
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Students spend 'Thirsty Thursday' at Hill Case Kegger
This year's root beer kegger may have special meaning in light of recent concerns about student drinking habits.
By Jay Corn
Published:
Monday, October 27, 2003
An hour after the doors opened it was already standing room only. Music was reaching decibels that under ordinary circumstances would draw a St. Cloud swat team, and kegs were spewing their contents into partygoers' cups at warp speed.
Newly-crowned homecoming queen Page Harder grooved on the spacious dance floor, leading a throng of fellow students to dance beats spun by "JIM." People were laughing, dancing, wrestling and of course drinking. But there was something missing.
The missing element to this party was alcohol, and it was intentionally left off the itinerary by the party's organizers.
Hill-Case Hall threw their 4th Annual Root Beer Kegger Thursday, drawing over 700 guests. For a $1 cover charge - or a canned food item - those in attendance were given cups for bottomless root beer and allowed to dance to their hearts content, surrounded by likewise sober members of the student body.
"I really just wanted to come and have a good time without alcohol," said first-year student David Wychor. "I'm not saying that the campus is split between drinkers and non-drinkers, but if there was alcohol here tonight, people that were drinking would just be having fun in their own, different way."
The party was organized and run primarily by members of the Hill-Case Community Council. Its intent was to convey that alcohol isn't a necessary ingredient for a fun night. In an environment where the commonality of student drinking has attracted the attention of university and city leaders, this kegger was meant to set an example for sober fun.
"We just wanted to get everyone involved in something positive. We want people to see their friends and fellow students having a genuinely good time without the presence of alcohol," said director Dan McClure. "Our mission statement for tonight was to provide a positive alternative for something negative, and send the message that there's nothing wrong with not wanting to drink if you don't want to."
That message was well-received by most of those who came to the party. Second-year transfer student Briana Batzlaff said it was refreshing to attend an event that broke the mold of typical SCSU social interaction.
"I think I speak for a lot of people here when I say that it's nice to come out somewhere that doesn't revolve around alcohol. I mean, look around, everyone's dancing, hanging out, having fun meeting new people, and all without the presence of alcohol," Batzlaff said. "In some ways the campus is kind of split between drinkers and non-drinkers, and tonight is a perfect example."
"This college has the reputation of being a party school, and everyone seems to feel the need to go out and take part in the weekly tradition of going out and getting wasted," Batzlaff said. She refers to "Thirsty Thursday," the weekly tradition that was taking place simultaneously at the bars downtown.
"I personally just don't think that's what college is all about. I think people should channel all the energy and time they put into drinking, and instead concentrate on finding themselves as a person. That's what college is all about," Batzlaff said.
The root beer - enough for over 1,000 cups - was donated by the campus vending machine supplier. Shopko, Granite City Pub and Brewery and Coborn's provided various items raffled off as door prizes. While it hasn't been decided what the proceeds from the party will be used for, the several hundred dollars raised will go toward benefitting the residents of Hill-Case Hall, most likely in the form of equipment purchases and to help fund hall activities later in the year.
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