Subject: [aodkc] National College Crawl
I recently became aware of an event that is called the National College Crawl, that many of you many of you may wish to be made aware of.
This event is described as by the promoters as: “Presented by Lucky Moose Events, The National College Crawl is one-of-a-kind event that will bring students from across the country together for one night of drinking, debauchery and even charity. On April 16, 2011, students at universities both large and small will take part in an organized bar crawl in their college towns.
The promoters are very social media savvy and have utilized several on-line social media platforms. Minimally, there is probably a lot that we could learn from these entrepreneurs in using social media. The sites that I found in just a few minutes are:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/NationalCrawl
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-College-Crawl/101067456638452#!/pages/National-College-Crawl/101067456638452?v=wall
National College Crawl Website - http://nationalcollegecrawl.com/
Currently, it appears that the two organizers are recruiting “paid student representatives” to promote the event at campuses across the United States. It appears that part of the student reps responsibilities include developing a local facebook site, promoting the event on their campuses. I would also imagine local reps also will distribute tee-shirts and the like. It also appears that the local reps are to try to coordinate waived cover charges, drink specials, etc. for those wearing the event tee-shirt that day. Depending on your local and state alcohol control regulations, such actions may be violations.
The Illinois Higher Education Center staff are encouraging Illinois campuses to consider the following actions.
1) Monitor the situation that is developing on your campus, mainly through facebook and other social media.
2) Develop social marking campaigns and other educational interventions designed to promote abstinence and harm reduction approaches.
3) Consider contacting your local liquor control commissioner and discuss preventative/proactive measures to work with local alcohol establishments to discourage drink specials, waived cover charges, etc. that may violate local and state alcohol sales and service laws.
4) Work with local and university law enforcement to increase and enhance enforcement during that weekend.
5) Work with on-campus residence life and off campus housing to prepare for pre-partying events, after-bar events, and the negative alcohol-related consequences affiliated with this event.
I can add that the organizers are indicating that 10% of monies raised will go to a philanthropy. Originally, a certain philanthropy was named. This philanthropy was unaware that they had been named. I contacted them, and it appears that several others have as well. I am guessing that this foundation will no longer be accepting any money from the organizers, as they are no longer listed on the National College Crawl website.
Sincerely,
Eric
