Four Corners Instructions & Processing Guide

Instructions: To begin the activity have class stand up. If you have a room with 4 corners that
are accessible you can make each corner of the room a decision. Begin by explaining the activity
and the rules to maintain decorum (see below).
Materials needed:
Four signs (High risk, moderate risk, some risk, no risk)
Tape
Ground rules:
Preface the activity by letting students know this is a safe space where they can freely
express their opinions. It is designed to bring our all of the differences in opinion in the
room so that people can learn from each others differences.
Emphasize that you do not assume they use alcohol or other drugs!
Classmates will respect and listen to others opinions in an effort to learn from each other.
The goal is to have a dialogue not a debate.
How to play
1. The facilitator will make a statement in regards to alcohol and drugs (see statements
below)
2. Each student will consider his/her opinion on the statement and move to the corner in the
room that most reflects their position on the statement. Tell students to formulate the
rationale for why they are standing where they are standing.
3. As the discussion on the statement begins, students are encouraged to move to other
decision areas if their position on the topic changes as a result of comments from other
students in the class.
You do not want to spend more than five minutes on any one statement. For example
when time is running short the facilitator can say: We have time for one more response
until we move onto the next statement.
Note: As the facilitator you will notice which decision area has the largest and smallest groups.
This can guide your questioning; it might be helpful to start with the group that has the most
students or the least. To best facilitate, ask for 3-4 student opinions (with different opinions) and
if the group is eager, keep letting students answer.
Statements and processing:
Start all statements below with What is the level of risk for:
Drinking underage.
o
o
o

Tell us why you are standing where you are.

Does the risk change by your parents finding out?
Does the risk change if you spend a night in jail?

o
o
o

Is it the perception that most college students drink? FACT: 50% of underage
students consumed in the past 30 days, that means that between 15,000 students
did not.
What in our society contributes to these perceptions?
Do you know students who abstain from drinking? What are their reasons?
What are some activities you have participated in so far that have not involved
drinks or Five Points?

Driving after one beer or riding in the car with someone who has had one beer.
o
o

o
o

o
o
o

Tell us why you are standing where you are.

Tip for students
o Use the free evening taxi service for USC students sponsored by Student
Government on Thursday through Saturday from 10:00pm until 3:00am.
Checker Yellow taxi cabs pick up from the Five Points fountain and returns
students home within a five-mile radius of campus. Students must present
their Carolina Card to the cab driver for the free ride.
o Take the shuttle from the fountain in Five Points to and from, to avoid walking
alone at night.
What about when a group decides at the end of the night who the driver will be
based on who is the least drunk? The perception is that they are making a good
decision and considering safety. Are they really?
How long is alcohol in your body? (NOT the rate of metabolism)
Answer: 24 hours (based on urine screens by drug testing agencies as
reported to the OSC)
How do you know your limit?
Can anyone explain to the class what the alcohol policy states? (possession or
consumption of alcohol under 21 is prohibited)
In regard to USCs policy, does the amount of alcohol matter?

Using Adderall to study for a test.

o

Tell us why you are standing where you are.

o What is Adderall classified as? Answer: Schedule II narcotic drug under the
Controlled Substance Act.
o
o

o
o

Is it illegal to use drugs not prescribed to you?

What is the person who gave you the Adderall considered to be?
Answer: a drug dealer
What are some college students perspectives about its severity? Even if
students dont think of it as a big deal, both the police and the university
treat it as the drug offense that it is.

Answer: drug policy violation on your discipline record for six years
Dosages are determined based on patients body type, other conditions, etc.
Legally, the repercussions for illegal use of prescription drugs is as severe as it is for
other illegal drugs like cocaine

Calling for assistance but then leaving so you are not caught drinking underage.
o

Tell us why you are standing where you are.

o As Carolinians we need to take care of each other. Remember the skit from
orientation?
o
o
o

What could happen in the time you walk away? Why is it important to stay?
Is it different to leave someone in a bed? Outside on a bench? At a party?
What is the policy on calling for help for a friend?
Care-o-linian Provision- you may still need to go to student conduct to talk
about what happened but it will not be on your record and you will not have
to pay a fine.

Smoking marijuana.
o

Tell us why you are standing where you are.

o Risks: spending a night in jail, drug tests for jobs, student conduct $350,
parents finding out
o
o
o

What is the drug policy at USC?

What percentage of student who drop out for grades indicate alcohol and drugs as a
factor? Answer: Approx. 30%
What types of legal penalties are there for using marijuana? How much money does
PTI cost?