Former College Party Professional Explains “Solo Cup Culture”

February 10, 2015

In college, Jake Byczkowski had a unique view of drinking culture -- the “Solo Cup Culture,” as he calls it. He was a student at Ohio State University, a Delta Tau Delta fraternity brother, a DJ who spun at countless parties and a representative for Red Bull, throwing even more parties all over the state of Ohio. At these events, he said he found himself and his friends in several harmful situations as the direct result of alcohol consumption, and eventually he began to question the behavior. After coming to terms with his own drinking problem, Byczkowski decided to start traveling to colleges and universities across the nation to speak up on the issue of college drinking culture and to help students make safe decisions about alcohol. Byczkowski will share his story and his platform at the Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. He hopes to engage college students of all ages and levels of experience in a humorous and relatable way, creating a safe environment where they don’t feel labeled or condemned. Admission is free and open to the public, and students will be given proof of attendance if needed. The message isn’t “alcohol is bad,” says Byczkowski. Instead, he says he wants to answer the question he asked himself so long ago: “Why do many college students continue to drink even after experiencing alcohol related harm?” He hopes to mobilize students to create a communal movement against alcohol related harm, covering topics such as bystander intervention and what “problem drinking” really means in order to help students make better choices. This event is a part of the “Be Well Do Well” initiative, which encourages students to have an enriching, life-changing and positive experience while at Georgia Southern.