This year Cornell University again joins more than 3,000 colleges and universities nationwide participating in National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Oct. 18-24.

The event was recognized last year at Cornell with a series of events planned by the West Campus Community development staff to heighten awareness about alcohol abuse and use. Every day during the week, a different program was featured, including the display of a car crashed by a drunken driver and a demonstration of the effects of the consumption of alcohol on two different individuals of different genders and body types.

"This year an expansion of these events, to include the entire campus community, has been a primary focus," said Jennifer A. Davis, campus life staff and residence hall director of the Class of 1928 Hall and Class of 1922 Hall. Throughout the week, the campus community will see bulletin board displays in almost every building on campus dedicated to this effort. A crashed-car display will be prominent on Ho Plaza.

The First Year Residential Experience (FYRE), a weekly program, will feature an interactive educational program Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 9 p.m. at Noyes Community Center. John L. Ford, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, and Linda Falkson, associate judicial administrator, will consume alcoholic beverages and participate in a Breathalyzer test while campus police disseminate information on the use and abuse of alcohol. A similar program tentatively is set for Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m. in Donlon Hall.

On Monday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m., Cascadilla Hall and Sheldon Court will sponsor a Free Sex social program that will address issues around sex and alcohol. "Mocktails" and other alcohol-related information will be a part of the event. On Friday, Oct. 23, at 9 p.m. in Donlon Hall, there will be a social dance party and mocktails to conclude the week's events.