CU community encouraged to 'Live Free' during sobriety challenge

Weekend's activities aim to demonstrate alternative to party cycle

The University of Colorado Boulder student-run Oasis group and Counseling and Psychological Services will present the second annual Live Free Weekend: 96-Hour Sobriety Challenge from Thursday, Sept. 23, through Monday, Sept. 27.

The event challenges the CU-Boulder community – students, faculty and staff – to 96 hours of abstinence from alcohol and recreational drugs. Activities are provided throughout the weekend to demonstrate how substance-abuse-free lifestyles can be fun, engaging and rewarding.

"Live Free Weekend is an opportunity for students and others to defy alcohol and drug use as a method of blowing off steam," said Corey Wiggins, health and safety director of CU Student Government. "It has been really exciting to see students challenge each other and come together as a community to prove that college students are about more than beer pong."

Among the many event offerings: Attendees at the "Clear Heart, Clear Mind" gathering, hosted by the Center for Multicultural Affairs and CU Student Government, will learn about the various philanthropic and community service groups on campus, offering opportunities to get involved. The event will be from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, in the fifth-floor lounge of the University Memorial Center. Free frozen yogurt will be served.

Also on Friday, Sept. 24, a kickball match with freshman athletes will take place at Folsom Field from 4 to 5:30 p.m. There will be free pizza and soda along with Buffs tickets and gear giveaways. Kickball participants should wear athletic shoes.

On Saturday, Sept. 25, volunteers are invited to participate in building 400 feet of multiuse trail at the Betasso Preserve west of Boulder. Hand tools will be used to construct a 3-foot-wide path. Transportation and food will be provided. Registration is required and details can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/vrc/GIVEADAY.htm.

"Live Free Weekend is about opportunity," said Matthew Tomatz, substance abuse program coordinator at CU-Boulder Counseling and Psychological Services. "It's a chance for us to come together in new ways, to explore and gain an understanding about our use of alcohol and drugs, exert choice and gather at events intended to support well-being and community."

Live Free Weekend is sponsored by CU-Boulder Housing and Dining Services, the CU Recreation Center, the Volunteer Resource Center, the Residence Hall Association, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Panhellenic Association, the Center for Multicultural Affairs, the CU Student Government and the Student Involvement, Activities and Leadership Office.

Individuals and groups are encouraged to take the 96-hour sobriety challenge; to sign the pledge and to see a complete list of events, go to http://www.colorado.edu/livefreeweekend/. For a year-round calendar of alcohol-free events at CU-Boulder, visit http://www.colorado.edu/alcohol/.