The students, faculty and staff at Texas A&M University-Kingsville will say goodbye to winter and hello to spring at two annual spring events scheduled Wednesday, March 10.

Tropical Temptations

Life Services and Wellness and PEP (Peer Educator Program) Talk are encouraging students to make healthy, responsible decisions rather than engaging in high-risk activities such as impaired driving, excessive alcohol use and unsafe sex during their Spring Break celebration. The Tropical Temptations Safe Spring Break Fair will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10, in the mall area near the Memorial Student Union Building. It features several activities aimed at keeping Javelina students safe during the upcoming Spring Break.

“We have several campus Warrants groups who have different messages for our students ranging from sun care to drinking and driving to sexual responsibility,” said Jo Elda Castillo Alaniz, associate director of Life Services and Wellness.

“DWeyes” is one tool that will be used to discourage students from drinking and driving. Students put on the DWeyes goggles and can see what it is like to be driving while intoxicated, which is the basis for the name. This year, officers from the University Police Department will ride shotgun while students wearing DWeyes goggles maneuver a golf cart through a driving course.

Students will be served strawberry daiquiri mocktails that are alcohol-free while learning how to party smart. They also receive information on sexual health and learn road safety tips. By taking the Safe Spring Break Pledge, A&M-Kingsville students promise not to drink and drive, not to let their friends drink and drive and not to ride with an impaired driver.

Students who visit all 11 booths will be eligible to win t-shirts and other giveaways including a bookstore scholarship and a $50 Valero gift card.

The event is cosponsored by Life Services and Wellness, PEP Talk, the Dean of Students, University Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, the University Police Department and Special Programs. For more information, call 593-3991.

Spring Fling

The annual Spring Fling will bloom on University Boulevard from 5 to 10 p.m. March 10. The street between College Hall and Santa Gertrudis Ave. will be closed to accommodate the activity. Student groups from all areas of campus use Spring Fling as a fund-raising activity and will set up booths offering food, family games and fun.

The Campus Activities Board will sponsor larger inflatable games and activities.

The local country western band, Oso Texas, will take the stage at 7 p.m.

For more information call 593-2760.