Freshman Finding Plenty To Do On Campus, Sober

I want to start this article off by saying I have no problem with anyone who drinks responsibly on this campus. In fact, most of my friends do go out every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night to drink and have a good time. As long as it’s safe and responsible, I have no problem with it. But what I do have a problem with are two comments made by Jenn DiPirro ’12 and Andy Kowal ’10 in last week’s article “Does PC have a Drinking Problem?”

According to  DiPirro, “the College puts little to no effort into planning programs on or off campus in which people can partake on a Friday or Saturday night.” Furthermore, Kowal goes on to say that “on Friday and Saturday night (and even Thursdays most times) the only thing to do is go out and drink.” In response to this I would ask DiPirro and Kowal to simply read the paper that they themselves write for. If they would do so, they would see numerous advertisements that promote programs put on by SAIL, PC After Hours, and other student groups for Friday, Saturday, and yes, even Thursday nights. For example, page 26 of last week’s  issue of The Cowl features an ad for Stump! Trivia on Thursday night beginning at 9:00 p.m. It also features an ad for Roller Skating in ’64 Hall from 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Friday night. There is also an advertisement for Country Night on Saturday, beginning at 8:00 p.m. with live music by Jay Dempsey and Highway Call in McPhail’s (Highway Call has also been featured at Mohegan Sun Casino).

Still not satisfied? Take a glance at page 30. There will you find an advertisement for “Mangia Weekend” put on in part by Circolo Italiano and featuring events such as a screening of The Godfather Friday night at 8:00 p.m and Laser Tag Saturday night from 9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. in ’64 Hall. By the way, “Mangia Weekend” is also sponsored in part by PC After Hours, a group that, according to their mission statement, is dedicated to creating “fun evening and weekend events on-campus that are open for all students to attend and participate in.” This is exactly what DiPirro and Kowal are looking for.

Now, roller skating, live music performed by professional musicians, movie screenings, and Laser Tag seem to me to be a far cry from what DiPirro calls just “a coffee house with trivia games.” Nonetheless, if you are looking for a coffee house, if you glance at page 15 you will see that there happens to be one Friday night from 7-11 p.m. in Campus Ministry.

Regardless, are you still not satisfied with what the College offers on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights? Well, here at PC we are also lucky enough to support numerous Division I sports teams including Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey. These teams all have games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Furthermore, the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey home games take place right here on campus and are free for all Providence students.

Furthermore, by all means venture off campus. We happen to go to a school that is a ten minute, free, bus ride from attractions such as Dave and Buster’s Arcade, an IMAX movie theatre, bustling shopping areas like Thayer Street, and fine dining like Federal Hill. 
So once again, if you enjoy going out and drinking every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, by all means do so, safely and responsibly. But, if you don’t, students should be aware that despite what DiPirro and Kowal say, there are plenty of programs and activities you can get involved in, both College sponsored and non-College sponsored.