Although SIUC has an unwritten image as a party town, some students are finding forms of entertainment that do not involve alcohol.

I would rather spend my time doing something more productive, such as studyingwhich is why I am here, Amy said.

Amy, 19, said she does not feel any pressure from her peers to drink.

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I go out with my friends, go to dinner, watch a movie, she said. We have our own parties that don’t have liquor.

I think students should get involved with organizations. They take up a big chunk of your time.

Kirsty Vines, a freshman from Anna, said if students do not want to drink, they should spend time with other people who do not drink because togther they can do things that they all like.

Vines cited two reasons why she does not drink.

I respect the law, she said. I don’t think drinking would have a good effect on me. I want to avoid alcoholism and I know that’s a risk if I start drinking.

I also don’t drink because of my religious background, she said. I’m a member of the Baptist Student Union, and we get together on weekends.

Joe Farris, 20, said he is not opposed to drinking in small quantities but believes drunkenness is wrong because of his religion.

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Personally, my parents never drank and I’ve never really desired to either, Farris, a senior from Fredericktown, Missouri, said. I’ve tried (alcohol) but I never really liked it. I never saw much to it.

Farris said he likes to hang out with his friends and play the guitar in his free time.

My grades would definitely be worse if I got drunk every night, Farris said. It would be harder to get up in the morning and go to class with a hangover.