Photo by Jo Elliot ’28
Students congregate in the Great Room to all play bingo during a Mount Holyoke After Dark event.
By Jo Elliott ‘28
Staff Writer
Almost every Friday evening, the Great Room is home to MHC After Dark’s substance-free events. The events rotate in themes and events, Oct. 3’s event being bingo. MHC After Dark’s programming offers students the opportunity to participate in late night events without the use of substances, offering community and fun to those who don’t consume substances.
The series of events runs every Friday and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Both the Office of Student Involvement and BeWell host these events. Some of their past nights include Just Dance parties and craft nights. Most MHC After Dark programs are held in the Great Room at Blanchard Hall.
Mia Gonzales Jackson ‘26 attended the bingo night on, and noted that, “I am a big fan of bingo events on campus! The event I attended was hosted by the Division of Student Life and part of the MHC After Dark programming. Personally, I enjoy playing bingo because it is simple and fun.”
Another attendee who spoke highly of the event, Maddie Stith ‘26, said, “I like events like these because I feel like it forces me to not stay in my dorm for the whole day, and it allows me to connect with people that I don't get to see often because it's a mutual enjoyment for such activities and allows me to spend time with groups of people that I know.”
Both attendees highlighted the importance of having these drug-free events on campus with Jackson saying, “I think offering this program supports Mount Holyoke's campus-wide drug-free policy and offers a different position on what an enjoyable college experience contains. For those who do not follow the crowd, it is a reminder that we are not left out or denied opportunities to have fun.”
Similarly, Stith stated, “I feel like it gives time and an open space for people who are not really into [drinking or consuming other substances] or people who literally cannot due to whatever medical reasons because that's also a thing.”
Substance-free events on college campuses can help ensure students who don’t use drugs or alcohol feel isolated from other students. Especially when it comes to the pressure of being in close proximity to substances, which often feature prominently at student-hosted parties.
“The college experience provides a context where experimentation with alcohol and other substances is facilitated by new freedoms, ample free time, reduced supervision, transitions to new social contexts, and a culture of partying,” Pennsylvania State University researchers state. “Studies suggest that students who spend more time in naturally-occurring alcohol-free activities including academics, volunteering, and campus activities (excluding fraternity and sorority activities) report less alcohol use.”
Stith touted the social benefits of going to events like these for herself: “It's also a really nice thing to be able to do so you don't have to worry about feeling excluded or left out or like you're not fitting in with the environment.”
Madeleine Diesl ’28 contributed fact-checking.