Battle of the Brews

It’s no secret that some Cats enjoy throwing back a few brews after a long week, but who knows which “college” beer is the best? The Exponent staff (21+), took it upon ourselves to determine how to get the most bang for your buck. Through a 16-beer taste test and a very official ranking system, we put together a bracket for you, the readers, to decide which “college beer” is truly number one. Over the next week, we want our readers to vote for their favorite. Be on the lookout for Instagram polls to voice your opinion.

Score = (Median Individual Score / Price Per Oz.) x 100

MSU’s Office of Health Advancement

MSU has an organization dedicated to educating and empowering students to have a balanced lifestyle. The Office of Health Advancement (OHA), located on the eastern edge of campus behind Hannon Hall, is a great resource for students wishing to learn more or those who already struggle with alcohol, drugs or tobacco. While the OHA is concerned with student drug, tobacco and alcohol usage, they are not responsible for handing down consequences for students caught abusing them. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, the OHA is available for help. Students’ situations remain confidential and will not be disciplined for their involvement or usage of alcohol, tobacco or drugs. The OHA is on campus to help.

Office of Health Advancement

Location: 1102/1106 S. 6th Ave.

Tel: (406) 994-4380

Drinking Do’s and Don’ts

• Do have a ride home or a safe place to stay
• Don’t binge drink
• Do count your drinks
• Don’t go out alone
• Do eat food before drinking
• Don’t leave your drink unattended
• Do be aware of your drink limit and plan ahead
• Don’t drink if you are under 21 years old
• Do make sure to also drink water

You Don’t Have to Drink

Media emphasizes drinking culture on campuses across the nation, but not every student actually decides to indulge. According to statistics gathered by the MSU Office of Health Advancement, approximately 47% of students have not had any alcohol in the past two weeks and 25% of students do not drink at all and have not consumed any alcohol in the last year.  I choose not to drink for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, I am underage. However, I am also on medication that restricts drinking for health reasons, and I have a genetic predisposition to alcoholism.

Fortunately, I very rarely experience peer pressure to drink on the MSU campus. Instead, the majority of my college career has been spent peacefully sipping LaCroix at parties and taking care of my friends when they get home from frats. However, my experience is not universal, and I know that some of my friends have felt pressured to drink.

Thankfully, there are plenty of options for teetotalers on the MSU campus. First and foremost, don’t put yourself in a situation where you feel negatively influenced by others. You know yourself and your friends, and you understand best what positions make it difficult for you to resist drinking. Instead, choose to hang out at alcohol-free events or spend time with people who make you feel comfortable. There are plenty of opportunities to participate in activities like skiing or poetry slam nights instead of going to house parties, and you should never spend time with people who pressure you into negative situations.

If you do end up in a situation where alcohol is being served, do what makes you feel comfortable. Letting people know in advance that you don’t drink can help you stick to your guns. You can also offer to be the designated driver for your group of friends, which will keep your friends safe and avoid your own discomfort.

In addition, most parties have alcohol-free options like sparkling water or juice. If you’re worried that people will notice that you’re not drinking, you can put a mixer like soda or lemonade in a cup without any alcohol. For safety reasons, keep a close eye on your drink. If worst comes to worst and you need to leave, find a safe ride home. Drive yourself, reach out to friends, take the Streamline bus, or use a service like Lyft or Uber.

Remember that the MSU campus has a medical amnesty policy when it comes to alcohol. If you reach out to the police, university staff or medical services in an emergency situation where a fellow student is at risk, you will not face disciplinary action, even if you have been drinking.

For the most part, people really don’t care whether or not you drink in college. The most common reaction to me telling people that I don’t drink is “Great, more for us.” Keep these tips in mind and remember: it’s more than okay not to drink.