The Real Majority has spoken: Napkin messages shed light on student behavior

By Zoe Irizarry
irizarryz@mytjnow.com

While dining in Markley’s Place, several students were surprised to find messages on their napkins. 

These messages are part of a social norming campaign that is just getting started at Winthrop. The goal of this campaign is to show students what the “real majority” of students at Winthrop are actually doing. 

 Brianne Gemeinhardt, coordinator for wellness services in the department of health and counseling services, along with the dean of students and the leader of fraternity and sorority affairs have teamed up to spread the word about the real majority. 

Students in a class taught by Jason Tselentis, assistant professor of design, and another student, Tori Mclean, were also involved with this project. They helped come up with the phrases that were placed on the napkins as well as helping with other aspects of the project.

The messages on the napkins showed statistics concerning Winthrop students drinking alcoholic beverages. 

The napkins were placed randomly throughout Markley’s Place and while they were seen by some, lots of people did not see them.  

“I have not heard of The Real Majority or seen the napkins, but I did see a girl walking around Digs looking at the napkins to see if anything was on them,” said Amanda Boggs, sophomore exercise science major. 

Gemeinhardt wanted to start with a place where lots of student go and would hopefully see them.  This group is going to continue to move forward and try to get the word out.

 Justin Allen, junior music education major, has not heard of The Real Majority or seen the napkins. 

“Everybody has their stand points on these things. We all know they are sinful things, but that doesn’t stop people from doing them,” Allen said. 

Gemeinhardt plans on spreading the word in other ways after the stress of a new semester dies down, “If people are looking, then people are thinking.”