Residence assistants Brandon Roulston and Jessica YoungResidence assistants Brandon Roulston and Jessica Young get their green on for I Cover Sober.

St. Patrick’s Day activities offer residence students a sober alternative

According to Ontario’s ministry of health, alcohol is the most commonly-used drug among the province’s youth, and alcohol-related trauma is a significant and preventable cause of death among young Canadians.

That is reason enough for the University’s residences to host I Clover Sober during the week of St. Patrick’s Day, says Lynn Charron. Team lead for Residence Life, she says the project provides opportunities to have fun that don’t include alcohol, and educates students about staying safe if they do drink.

“Our residence population consists mainly of underage students and students who have recently become of age,” Charron says. “Regardless of your age, it never hurts to learn more about safer drinking practices.”

Each evening leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, activities in residence building lobbies included safer drinking trivia contests, board game nights and cookie decorating. On Thursday, residents were invited to join non-drinking activities, including photo booths, face painting, life-sized Hungry Hungry Hippo, skills challenges and video game competitions.

“We are proud to be able to provide our students with an alternative to drinking while providing them the opportunity to get in on the fun and wear their Irish green,” says Charron.

It is the sixth straight year for the I Clover Sober event, held in partnership with the Substance Education Team.