CU student Ramon Rodriguez, president of G.O.R.D. sets up flags in a display on Norlin Quad. The flags represent alcohol deaths of people ages 18-24 since 2004. (Photo by Glenn J. Asakawa/University of Colorado)

College students around the nation face the temptations of consuming more alcohol than they should. In response to the issues and dangers created by careless alcohol use, the Guidelines and Objectives of Responsible Drinking, or G.O.R.D. organization, was formed.

G.O.R.D. was founded by a group of Chi Psi brothers in remembrance of freshman CU student Lynn Gordon Bailey Jr. who died Sept. 17, 2004 of acute alcohol poisoning. The organization, now in its fourth year, consists of Chi Psi alumni, CU students, family and friends who are committed to teaching alcohol awareness. Their goal is not to entirely eliminate alcohol consumption but rather to create a society educated about risks linked to alcohol and to encourage the practice of responsible drinking in social settings.

G.O.R.D. reaches out through college students, the Greek system and high schools in order to spread awareness among students around the nation. Through peer-to-peer presentations, G.O.R.D. is promoting responsible drinking and helping people to be aware of their surroundings.

“We recently started to present at the freshman orientations at CU,” said Ramon Rodriguez, acting president of G.O.R.D. and a senior economics major. “In this way, we can educate the entire freshman class.”

The reward for their dedication to promoting alcohol awareness is the satisfaction of knowing that students are being responsible and safe. “When we hear stories about students who were able to point to the signs of alcohol poisoning as the result of a presentation we did and help save a friend’s life, that is G.O.R.D’s biggest accomplishment,” Rodriguez said.

The future for G.O.R.D. includes developing partnerships with the Office of Judicial Affairs and Boulder police and fire departments.

“We plan to do things like help sanction first time alcohol offenders and get real accounts from officers about the dangers they’ve encountered from careless drinkers,” Rodriguez said.

Those interested in joining G.O.R.D. can email Recruitment Director Rachel Hagopian or attend a meeting on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. in UMC room 247.

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