Grants available for Grand Alternative events
This year the Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County has awarded the Office of the Dean of Students $20,000 to offer "mini-grants" to student organizations and departments on campus that would like to host or co-host events for Grand Alternative 2011, being held April 10-17. The office received $10,000 last year.
These "mini-grants" are available to help offset the costs for hosting substance-free events, allowing organizations that would not otherwise be able to host campus-wide events to become part of Grand Alternative.
All recognized student organizations in good standing are invited to apply for mini-grants. The grant application must be submitted online at https://bit.ly/dJ26Dn by Feb. 11.
Substance-free events and activities that are free, fun, and take place on or around campus between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. are highly encouraged. Examples of past Grand Alternative events are free film screenings, movie theme nights, coffee house, multicultural fair/events, poetry readings, open mic, karaoke, community service projects, concerts and sporting events.
A callout is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 8) in Schleman Hall, Room B38.
Offices and departments sponsoring substance-free events during April 10-17 can have their event highlighted in Office of the Dean of Students marketing material. Those interested should submit the date, time, location, description and costs of the events by March 4 to sao@purdue.edu.
The primary goal of Grand Alternative is to empower student organization leaders to help provide solutions to the high-risk and underage drinking problems. By providing substance-free choices for Purdue students, the program intends that fewer negative consequences from alcohol use will occur. The number of arrests during Grand Prix week has been on a steady decline since Grand Alternative was created in 1998 by Rev. Steve Cain of Wesley Foundation, a campus ministry.
Grand Alternative is a collaboration among the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Wellness Office, Division of Recreational Sports, Purdue Student Union Board, Wesley Foundation and several Purdue student organizations.
For more information about Grand Alternative, contact Carol Ben-Davies or Cheryl Brantley at Student Activities and Organizations in the Office of the Dean of Students at 49-41231 or sao@purdue.edu.
