With Halloween right around the corner, many students are on the prowl for parties and nights of letting loose, sometimes leading to bad decisions. College life is full of new experiences—new friends, new classes and, for many students, their first real taste of independence. With that freedom comes choices, especially when it comes to alcohol.
On Sept. 10, from 7-8:30 p.m., NMU WellBeing hosted a night of Mocktails and Mythbusting in the Founders Room in the Northern Center, where students could sip on mocktails and participate in an educational Kahoot.
The discussion included topics like what to do when someone overdoses or simply being responsible while drinking. The NMU WellBeing team did a great job in making the event a fun time.
College campuses like Northern Michigan University often go hard on conversations about alcohol safety because the stakes are high, but it’s not just about rules—it’s about caring for individual students and the wider community. At a place like NMU, where students come from many backgrounds and many are living away from home for the first time, the school wants to make sure everyone knows the risks, the laws and especially the support systems in place.
“This is a harm reduction event that’s important because for so long universities kind of ignored the fact that students do illegal things,” said Emma Wargin, a social work student and WellBeing peer educator. “But now it’s up to us to understand that they will do these things but work on ways that we can help them do it safely.”
The Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Guide does not just list penalties; it also lays out health risks, legal sanctions and what resources are available (on-campus and in Marquette) for students who want help.
“We want people to know the dangers of drugs and alcohol and … learn how to function with them,” said Nate Dawson, an NMU Police Department officer.
By repeating safety guidelines, schools aim to prevent harm not only to individuals but also to the larger community. One student’s unsafe choice can impact roommates, friends or even entire campus groups.
Even at NMU, where winters are long and snowbanks tower higher than most students, fun does not need to revolve around alcohol. Some of the best college nights are the ones spent laughing over a late-night sledding run down the Marquette hills, grabbing a pasty with friends or catching a Wildcats game at the Berry Events Center.
Choosing to cut back or skip alcohol altogether does not mean missing out. In fact, it often means remembering the goofy moments that make the best stories later.
By promoting safety, providing resources and making expectations clear, NMU works to create a campus culture where students can thrive. Never hesitate to reach out to NMU WellBeing resources when you have questions or need anything.
