News
Tuesday's alcohol screening day at Dartmouth broke the previous year's record for number screened, but some students may have flocked to Collis Commonground in pursuit of free Nalgene bottles rather than for health reasons.
Students waited in lines that rivaled those at fraternity basement bars in anticipation of receiving one of 800 Nalgenes.
The focus of alcohol screening day's advertising efforts, the popular bottles were snapped up before the screening ended.
This year's mix-and-match Nalgenes featured a slogan stating that 73 percent of Dartmouth students eat food before they drink, according to a 2003 Health survey.
"We're hoping to help students learn something about their relationship with alcohol," said Ryan Travia, coordinator for alcohol and other drug education programs.
The event consisted of a brief multiple-choice test, followed by a short interview with a counselor and some recommendations about how to party safely.
Last year, Dartmouth's screening process gained national recognition as a top program.
While the number of students participating in the screening process has risen, Travia said that in past years alcohol-counseling offices on campus have not seen a significant rise in appointments after alcohol screening day.
Some students told The Dartmouth they skewed their responses to avoid the recommended counseling that accompanied high scores.
"Well, I would have been completely honest if I wanted to listen to the counselor talk to me for 20 minutes about how to not participate in the Dartmouth social scene," Trak Lord '08 said.
Still, counselors were pleased with the turnout, whatever students' motives may have been.
"I've been encouraged by the fact that people are considering their drinking habits," said Bryant Ford, a counselor at Dick's House who evaluates the questionnaires and helped organize the event.
"This is our biggest event of the year.
