The Bridge

Aztec Nights Produces Positive Results

Aztec Nights is a new program that provides a vibrant campus nightlife and opportunities for students to become engaged in positive, substance-free social and educational activities.

Based on research, the experiences freshmen have during the first six weeks of school help them decide whether a college or university is right for them. In an intentional and deliberate move, SDSU delivered campus-wide programs and activities to ensure the success of its students during these first critical weeks of the fall 2008 semester.

Students were involved in the creation of Aztec Nights as well, which gave them the chance to lead, plan and implement various events and activities. Students attending Aztec Nights made new friends, learned about cultural diversity, relationship issues, involvement opportunities, and most importantly, that most students can have fun in a substance-free environment.

Aztec Nights, along with other enhanced campus-wide strategies, has shown positive results in that students are adopting healthier ways to socialize.

An example of the outcomes of Aztec Nights is that alcohol-related incidents were down 57 percent this year compared to last year. In fall 2007 during the first five weeks of the semester, there were 487 students cited for alcohol; this year during the same period, there were 209 citations.

Most importantly, the number of students whose immediate health was compromised was down as well: far fewer students required transport to medical facilities for alcohol poisoning.

“SDSU has followed a comprehensive strategy to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse and associated harms,” said Vice President for Student Affairs James R. Kitchen. “Aztec Nights is just one component addressing behavioral alternatives. We are expanding developmentally appropriate social opportunities away from drinking. The concerts, movies and interactive events of Aztec Nights provided our students entertainment during typical ‘party hours’ in a substance-free environment.”

The most popular Aztec Nights events included the Red and Black Welcome Back Dance, where more than 4,500 students attended; the Swayze concert with more than 3,000 attendees; the Campus Carnival, with also more than 3,000 attendees; and the first movie night with more than 1,100 students attending.

SDSU is working to enhance Aztec Nights for future semesters, as well as continue refining policies to reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs.