By Leah McCluskey, Staff Writer
As the semester comes to a close, St. Bonaventure’s athletes and students are ready to celebrate their accomplishments. Traditionally, this signifies the commencement of formals, a time to gather together, dress up and throw a party.
However, Rob Defazio, director for the center of activities, recreation and leadership, cautions students about these gatherings.
“There was an email sent out to captains of club sport teams discouraging them from holding any type of formal events,” Defazio stated. “We have also contacted other teams on campus ,as well as non-sports related clubs, that had held formals within the past few weeks or months.”
Defazio said that formals are becoming increasingly dangerous.
“There is nothing that says that students cannot hold formals, but what we can see from those formals are students getting arrested, ticketed, MERTed and we even have had a few DWI reports.”
Defazio also added that formals generally become binge-drinking events for underage students to attend.
“Mostly, nothing good comes from it,” said Defazio. “Do you really want to fill your house with students that are underage, where binge drinking is encouraged and a whole lot of negative activity results from it?”
Defazio stressed that there are alternative opportunities the university could support instead of these events.
“If students want to do something to celebrate, we could plan a formal event, maybe even in the Rathskeller, where they could bring dates,” said Defazio. “This would be a controlled environment where those of age could have a drink and those not of age could still attend, just not consume.”
Jonathan Clancy, a freshman strategic communications major, commented on Defazio’s argument.
“There are benefits to the Rathskeller: the food, music, space, activities and dancefloor are a much better venue than a house,” said Clancy. “However, the Rathskeller would only be enjoyable to those over 21. As long as typical formals are maintained and people have self-control, they can be a great time.”
A women’s club basketball player, wishing to remain anonymous, added that this wouldn’t stop clubs from hosting formals.
“Prohibiting formals, or even offering the alternative will not stop underage drinking, they [parties] are still going to happen,” she said.
Despite differing opinions on the matter, Defazio had one final message for the student body.
“Be smart and be safe.”
