After surviving a record-breaking year for undergraduate admissions, members of Penn’s freshman class should be able to process basic alcohol and drug facts without inane illustrations.
But forcing freshmen to watch the Penn Alcohol Module interactive video suggests otherwise.
The module is broken into a series of segments, filled with actors who valiantly try to make their material relevant. The script, however, is a joke.
At least, that is how members of the Class of 2015’s Facebook group perceive it.
It does not help that the entire video series can be muted while you leave it open on your computer and do something else, like complain about PennAM on Facebook.
Some students think the video is blatantly joking with itself. If this were true, then what does it say about Penn?
It is either an unfunny joke or an insult to the incoming class’s intelligence.
Wouldn’t it be easier to present the content in a bulleted list, a pamphlet or any other concise summary of the risks of alcohol, drugs and sexual misconduct?
“Avoid drinking from open containers” would send a clearer message than the video’s declaration to “avoid the Jungle Juice!”
The relevant facts in the videos are easily lost among sanctimonious judgments: “Some guys (and girls) just don’t care … They don’t care about themselves, and they don’t care about others.”
Is the video trying to make us afraid of becoming one of these “guys (and girls)”? If so, it’s not working.
The video scared me most not with its generic descriptions of the physical effects of alcohol but rather with the implications of my GPA.
“What could it hurt? It’s only a drink. It’s only a joint. Until you cross the line, then it’s not fun anymore — whoops! There goes my academic career!”
Aaahh! You have touched a nerve with the incoming class, most (or all) of whom worked assiduously in high school to get into Penn in the first place.
But that fear quickly passes as PennAM tells us that we think we are obviously invincible and nothing bad will happen to us.
The University is right to ensure that we are all aware of the dangers alcohol, drugs and sexual assault pose. But we can learn faster than PennAM gives us credit.
We need the facts, not a show.
A more sober — excuse the pun — moment in the video brought up how alcohol and drugs can be a steppingstone to rape. This was the module’s best part because the dialogue could not easily joke about the subject.
It was short but to the point: “Actually, the vast majority of sexual assaults on college campuses happen between people who know each other, maybe even dating.” That hits home.
I understand the University was sincerely trying to make the video more interesting via jokes and scenery so that everyone pays attention.
Those who are already shut off to the video’s message will remain shut off, regardless of how the content is presented.
On the other hand, those students who actually care about educating themselves should have the option to do so in a straightforward and serious format.
Unfortunately, members of both groups will probably be negatively affected by alcohol during their college experiences. The latter group, however, will be much smaller.
To the members of the Class of 2015, we have made it to Penn and are ultimately responsible for ourselves.
The choice to take heed of, or ignore, PennAM’s message is ours.
Seth Amos is a College freshman studying English and Hispanic studies. His email address is samos@sas.upenn.edu.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
