Wellativity enhances safe drinking practices on Wellesley campus

Wellativity was founded in the spring semester of 2012 with the aim of encouraging safe drinking practices and peer support among all Wellesley students. The News interviewed Ashley Longseth ’13, who has been part of Wellativity events since its inception. Take a look at the interview below to find out more about Wellativity.

What is Wellativity and what is its mission? Is Wellativity a program or an organization?

Wellativity is a peer-to-peer assistance program that promotes safe decision making regarding high-risk drinking among students. Our mission follows the values of our slogan, E=MC2, or Educate, Moderate, Communicate Concern. As a student group, we really want our peers to educate themselves about the dangers of high-risk drinking and, if they choose to drink, learn about defensive drinking practices to reduce the negative consequences associated with drinking. We also hope they moderate drinking, so that they reduce the likelihood of putting themselves and others in danger. Finally, we hope that students communicate concern if they are concerned about their own drinking or others.

Currently Wellativity is a program that operates a few times a year. However, we hope to transition to a student organization in the coming months so that we can keep people involved and run other programs, besides just handing out water at typically high-risk events. For example, as a student organization, we plan to run Wellativi-teas in conjunction with the house presidents (HPs) in some buildings

Which Wellativity events have you participated in? What goals did you have in mind when participating in these activities?

I have participated in every Wellativity event since its beginning last spring. The paramount goal of participating in the events, for me, has always been the safety of my peers.

Last spring, I helped to coordinate the efforts of the inaugural Wellativitys because I was an RA and unfortunately RAs cannot participate in the action part. (This is because if we do need to call for help, we want all of the calls to be Good Samaritan, and RAs are excluded from the Good Samaritan policy). This fall, I was finally able to do some of the legwork of Wellativity by knocking on people’s doors on the night of Remix, reminding them to have a fun and safe night and giving them water.

What did you get out of joining Wellativity?

Wellativity gave me a lot more knowledge about some of the dangers of alcohol, and more information about how to tell if someone is dangerously intoxicated, more than just seeing someone throwing up. It also gave me a chance to meet some really cool and fun people whom I probably would not have met before.

Would you recommend other students to join Wellativity? If so, which group(s) of the Wellesley student body and why?

I would definitely suggest that other students join Wellativity! It is a lot of fun, and you really feel that you are making a difference. I would recommend that any Wellesley student who cares about her peers, and wants them to have fun but be safe at the same time consider working with us. It also helps if you are comfortable knocking on other people’s doors without really knowing them. It can be a bit nerve-wracking at first but Wellesley students are really great and really welcoming.