Partying and Drinking: How Much Really Exists?

The Realities of Partying and Drinking at Chico State

In the 1980s and early ’90s, Chico State developed a reputation for being a “party school.” This reputation came from events like Pioneer Week and Rio Chico Days. During these events, crowds got rowdy and the resulting incidents drew negative media attention. Chico State banned Pioneer Week to stop excessive incidents from recurring.

Some people still associate Chico State with a “party school” image, but nightlife in Chico is similar to that of other residential campuses in the CSU system. The majority of Chico State students live within a two-mile radius of campus. With such a large number of students in a centralized area, student parties are more noticeable than they are in larger urban areas, and stories can become exaggerated.

But it’s not all exaggeration. When students leave home and are on their own for the first time, their newfound freedom can be somewhat overwhelming. For some students, part of this freedom includes experimenting with drugs and alcohol. It can be a scary time for parents.

But, with parents’ help, Chico State students and administrators are working to make Chico a safe place for students to learn and grow. The residence halls on campus do not allow alcohol or drugs on the premises. No alcohol is served at athletic events, and there is no pub or other place on campus that serves alcohol. Any organization that wants to serve or consume alcohol on campus has to obtain an alcohol permit. Chico State devotes substantial efforts and resources to address this issue. The campus has numerous organizations and events on campus promoting social activities without alcohol.

Campus Programs
The Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center (CADEC) is a program designed to help students achieve well-balanced lifestyles through education about alcohol and drug safety. CADEC offers many services for students, varying from awareness campaigns to workshops led by peer educators.
When students do drink, there is a recognized campus organization called Chico Safe Rides that provides Chico State students with a free ride home from the location where they were drinking. Chico Safe Rides is a safe alternative for students who choose not to ride home with someone who has been drinking or who feel they may have had too much to drink to get home safely on their own.

AlcoholEdu
Every incoming first-year student will be required to take AlcoholEdu for College and pass the program exam with a score of 70 or above. Your student will receive a separate letter with the information and instructions he/she needs to complete this program. Failure to complete the program will result in your student’s Spring 2009 classes being dropped, and an academic hold being placed on his or her records.
Students at every college will have the opportunity to drink alcohol. It’s important that your student is aware of what can happen with over consumption of alcohol. Talk to your student about being safe and responsible. When students are knowledgeable about the negative effects of alcohol and drugs, they are less likely to abuse them. If you or your student has any questions, please call CADEC at (530) 898-6450.