The story of a college student who died while rushing highlighted the realities of binge drinking for about 200 sorority members who attended a presentation based on the movie Haze Monday night.
"It's shocking how much it hit home. It was very real," Alpha Chi Omega member Carly Clover (sophomore-world language education) said.
The presentation, which consisted of a viewing of the movie and a discussion, was hosted by the Panhellenic Council (PHC) in the Forum Building Monday night.
The event will continue to be held at various times throughout the week. It is mandatory for 75 percent of every sorority chapter to attend one of the presentations, said Jessica Emann, PHC vice president for programming.
The presentations are meant to "increase awareness for chapter members if they leave someone who drank too much, and precautions they can take to be safe when drinking," Emann said.
Haze is a documentary that alternates between showing pictures and graphic images and discussing the dangers of binge drinking at college campuses while telling the story of Gordie Bailey.
Bailey was a freshman at the University of Colorado participating in a bid day event for Chi Psi fraternity. He was found dead because of alcohol poisoning the next morning in the fraternity's library.
Pi Beta Phi sorority member Emily Boyd (sophomore-education), who spoke briefly after the movie, said she is a friend of Bailey's sister.
Boyd said the main message Bailey's family wants to get across is that it's okay to drink but it's important to know how to do it responsibly and to care for those who take it too far.
"[They're] not saying don't drink, [they're] just saying if it gets to the point where someone is out of control -- if you know the signs -- to get help," Boyd said. "Look out for your friends and make that call, because you could regret it for the rest of your life if you don't."
