Late Night Miami provides alternatives to drinking

By Bonnie Meibers, The Miami Student

The Office of Student Activities, along with the Division of Student Affairs, will work together this year to host Late Night Miami, a series of free weekend events for students.

These programs were created to curb underage drinking on campus and provide students alternative activities during weekend nights on campus.

"I think this a need that the campus has had for a while now," said Tiffany Seaman, assistant director of the Office of Student Activities.

These events will be held Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights, as those are the nights students are more inclined to go out, according to the Miami University 2015 Alcohol Task Force Report.

The Alcohol Task Force report, published in February 2015, found the number of underage students who drink is significantly higher at Miami than at other institutions around the nation.

Late Night Miami is a way to target risky behavior and turn it into something positive by providing low-risk activities for students of all ages, like going to a movie screening.

These events also give students who do not wish to or can't go out in Uptown Oxford alternatives on campus. All Late Night Miami events and individual residence hall events are free and open to all.

Some Late Night Miami programs will include a casino night, block parties, free concerts and coffee house performances in the Armstrong Student Center, including a performance by Ella Mae Bowen, who sings "Holding Out for a Hero" for the 2011 version of Footloose.

Some residence hall staff are hosting events like self-defense classes, preparation for career fair and a talent show.

Instead of having one event per month, as in the past, residence halls will host events once a week, whether it be something confined to the residence hall or taking part in a Late Night Miami event.

Seaman said she believes Late Night Miami has been marketed well, and since it is partnering with campus organizations, it will attract students from all Miami life.

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"We've seen who and what have been popular in years past and at other schools," she said. "Students love seeing movies and magicians."

Also coming this semester is a way for student organizations to collaborate with Late Night Miami. Student organizations can host their events under the umbrella of Late Night Miami. In fact, organizations are eligible to receive up to $2,000 in funding for their programs.

"There has always been a push for late night programming," said Jennifer Levering, director of Student Activities and the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. "We received additional funding this year to do even more."

This additional funding allows Miami to provide more activities for students on campus, which Seaman said makes the university feel more like home.

"Just like everything on campus, [Late Night Miami] has been made because it is something that's been asked for," Seaman said.

The goal of Late Night Miami, and other alcohol alternative programs, is to give students more opportunities to get out on campus and make campus come alive during the weekends, Seaman said, all while having good, clean fun.