By Staff Reports
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 7, 1996
Spring break prompts safety promotion
UA Health Promotion representatives gave students free sodas, quizzes and information yesterday promoting healthy alternatives to alcohol and drug use over spring break.
About 200 students stopped by the information table on the Mall to celebrate Safe Spring Break Day, said Stephanie Ives, graduate assistant with University of Arizona Health Promotion and Preventive Services, which sponsored yesterday's annual event.
The UA has taken part in the nationwide event for the last five years, Ives said.
One perception among UA students is that their peers drink a large quantity of alcohol, said Beverly Masaoy, another graduate assistant with the services.
A question on the true-or-false quiz read, "63 percent of all UA students have five or more alcoholic drinks when they go out to bars and parties." The answer to this question is false.
An 8-by-10-inch sign in front of the table stated 63 percent of UA students have four or less drinks when they party.
Students hear about spring break travel getaways associated with heavy drinking and think it is the norm, Masaoy said. The fact is, however, that the majority of students do not go to these places, Masaoy said.
UA datebook misprinted break
A printing mix-up that may have led some students to think they had an extended spring break might make them miss two days of classes.
The blue UA Datebook sold by the ASUA Bookstore marked spring recess dates inaccurately, indicating the break is from March 11 to 19. The official spring break, however, is March 11 to 15.
A student called the Arizona Daily Wildcat earlier this week and said some students have already planned their spring breaks during the incorrect dates.
Frank Farias, ASUA Bookstore director, said he had not been aware of the mistake but was embarrassed about the misprint.
"Even though we don't print them, we sell them, and now I feel bad," Farias said.
Farias said more careful proofreading will be done in the future to prevent such errors.
Tucson airport tightens security
Students flying out of Tucson for spring break should expect increased security procedures at Tucson International Airport, officials said.
According to Michael Gaillard, Tucson Airport Authority chief of police, this means:
- No vehicles may be left unattended on the curb in front of the terminal.
- Airlines may ask passengers about the contents of their luggage.
- Picture identification is required at check-in.
The World Trade Center bombing trial last year prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to require airports to strengthen security last summer.
"We would like cooperation from the public," Gaillard said.