Hillsborough Hike marks the culmination of a semester, and although it has no association with the University, it indicates there is light at the end of the tunnel, that the semester is almost over.
The Hike is a biannual tradition where seniors attempt to drink at every bar on Hillsborough Street spanning from the Player’s Retreat to East Village and, in some hiker’s cases, down to Pantana Bob’s.
Although the Hike is associated with the last day of class every semester, Sgt. Jon Barnwell of Campus Police stressed the event is entirely independent of the University.
Members of the Senior Class Board of Trustees planned a concert, which is being held at the Bell Tower and will include music from Captain Cook and the Coconuts, a Jimmy Buffett cover band and free food, for the same night of the Hike.
Barnwell noted his concerns for the concert, indicating that it must be done right to be successful.
“If it is done right, it is something good that students can do to let off a little steam and celebrate the end of classes before having to buckle down for exams,” he said.
He added the concert should not be associated with Hillsborough Hike.
“One of my concerns, being a University person, is that if it’s part of a celebration at the end of a school year, thats one thing,” he said. “But if it is tied in as a rallying point or starting point for a non-affiliated hike through bars, that is not a good thing.”
He added that contrary to what some people may think, there is no alcohol allowed at the concert.
“It is going to be a nice, fun, non-alcoholic event for students to participate in,” he said.
As far as the actual Hillsborough Hike is concerned, Barnwell stated they haven’t had many problems in the past and aren’t expecting any problems this year.
“In actuality, the last few [Hikes], we haven’t had hardly any problems. It has really been an event where people have been responsible for the most part,” he said. “We understand that those participating in the Hike are grown people, and we expect them to act that way.”
According to Barnwell, Campus Police will be policing the concert and will be working closely with the Raleigh Police Department to patrol the Hike.
“[The Hike] is being headed by the Raleigh Police Department; we are helping them handle the situation,” he said. “They will be policing up and down the sidewalks.”
He accentuated the responsibilities and duties seniors and hikers have when dealing with the community.
“[Hikers] need to realize that they are being charged with being good community members,” he said. “They need to understand the quality of life issues — loud noises, urinating in people’s yards and damaging property — will not be tolerated.”
He also pointed to the health and safety issues seniors should be cognizant of.
“We expect them to be responsible — not drinking in excess. They need to look out for their own personal safety not partake in too much alcohol to allow them to open their opportunities to victimization, whether it be getting in a fight or a female being taken advantage of or even people being robbed,” he said.
To help with the health aspect of the Hike, a group deemed The Lighthouse at Raleigh, a faith-based organization, will be handing out free bottled water and cards that include a Blood Alcohol Content chart and laws concerning alcohol violations.
The founder of the group, Dave Haydysch, a student in Lifelong Education, stated the group will be at the Hike to educate.
“The organization exists to educate students and the community about alcohol poisoning, high risk consumption, binge drinking and underage use,” he said.
He emphasized the organization will not be at the Hike to be “judgmental.”
“We are not condemning alcohol but also not condoning it. We are taking a very nonjudgmental attitude,” he said. “It is not our place to tell you if you are right or wrong. We are trying to talk to students to help them be smart about [drinking].”
He said that The Lighthouse participated in last year’s Hike and handed out over 800 bottles of water. He indicated that its goal this year is to give out more than 2,500 bottles.
Haydysch added the point of the program is not only to educate but to hand out free water to keep hikers hydrated, which will help reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning.
Chris Austin, the assistant director of health promotion and head of substance abuse prevention for the University, said The Lighthouse is a good organization, and he is impressed with the way they are approaching the Hike.
“What really stands out is that they are addressing the alcohol poisoning issue in a non-judgmental way,” he said. “I think that is a good way to do it.”
He said the free bottled water will help slow down the absorption of alcohol in the body, and because alcohol is a diuretic, it “puts something else into the system.”
Barnwell indicated The Lighthouse at Raleigh is partnering with the Campus Community Coalition, an organization he is involved with.
“The Campus Community Coalition is partnering with The Lighthouse to try to promote responsible drinking to those who are of age,” he said. “Offering a free alternative to alcohol is a good thing.”
According to Haydysch, the group will be handing out water at the corner of Dixie Trail and Hillsborough Street.
Some students are skeptical of the effect free bottled water will have on Hillsborough Hike. “By the time we get down to East Village and they are handing out water bottles, it might be a little too late for most everybody because there are a lot of bars between the first stop and East Village at the end,” Matt Thompson, a junior in textile and apparel management, said. Other students said they think the water will prove to be beneficial at the end of the night.
“It is probably a really good idea,” Ashley Leadon, a junior in business management, said. “I imagine if you start at Player’s Retreat, by the time you get down to East Village you will probably need a water or two.”
Barnwell had some lasting advice for underage students who plan on attending and participating in the Hike.
“With the zero-tolerance aspect of criminal behavior, if you are underage, don’t even take the chance. If you have a fake ID, don’t even take the chance,” he said. “In an event like this, there has to be zero tolerance.”