Students spill on Baker's sober activities

By Jennifer Bak, Staff Writer

October 18, 2007 | 6:14 p.m.

Ohio University's Baker University Center is aiming to provide students with fun, safe alternatives to partying on weekends and thus far, the results have been somewhat mixed.

Students are still debating the sober social scene at Baker. For many Athens newcomers, the weekend sights, sounds and experiences can be overwhelming. That‘s where Baker wants to come in by offering OU students safe, fun activities to offset walking down Court Street at 2 a.m.

"I think it's a good thing to have other options besides partying," said freshman Lily Mathias, who recently attended Baker's After-Hours activities.

Sophomore Sarah Beth Hensley agrees. "Through my sorority, Delta Gamma, we do Baker After-Hours ... We hand out grilled cheese sandwiches," Hensley said.

And what about the crowds? "There were probably three-fourths of the seats filled ... It was a decent crowd," said sophomore Brittany Stransky, who went to the Midnight Movies for the first time two weeks ago. Stransky said it wasn't an issue of finding an alternative, though. Baker After-Hours simply gave her something to do on a Friday night. "There was a movie showing and it sounded more fun than sitting in my room." Stransky said that the Baker activities are "working to an extent ...[but] you can still go out and party afterward if you want."

But if students are still going out to party after a midnight movie, doesn't that defeat the purpose of what Baker is trying to accomplish? Hensley said, "I think it's a good idea [for the After-Hours committees] to approach [Baker's activities] knowing that people are going to party anyway."

While there is debate among some students in regards to whether or not Baker's weekend activities are successful, there is no doubt that students have someplace to spend their weekends when beer looses its appeal or never even gains it.