Being the “designated driver” is no longer the worst-case scenario for your weekend thanks to the surprising advantages acquired by making a simple addition to your smartphone.
Be In The Know, the first university-sponsored app, is a student guide to a healthier and smarter college experience.
“The website and phone app provide a way for students to learn about the local and state laws – especially for students new to Nevada,” said Todd Renwick, a commander for the University Police Services.
The app gives different options for rides, alcohol-related facts and myths and other tools for alcohol education.
Bethany Ramos, a junior at the University of Nevada, Reno, said that she has heard of the app, but wishes she had access to it.
“I’m one of those outsiders who still doesn’t have a smartphone,” Ramos said.
Regardless of her mobile limitations, Ramos took the time to look up the app and get to know its other features, stating that she found the “Alcohol411” section valuable.
Be In The Know also contains a blood alcohol content calculator that uses deriving factors such as weight, gender and drinks consumed over a period of time to create a basic calculation.
“I obviously haven’t tried it, but the BAC thing seems like it would be my favorite part,” Ramos said.
The majority of students may have heard of the app, but according to Ramos, not all have taken the time to look into it.
“College students would probably find cheap food and safe rides extremely useful, but it’s their loss I guess,” Ramos said.
Be In The Know offers discounts on food around the university through partnerships with businesses such as Archie’s and The Little Waldorf.
These discounts can be found under the tab “Do The Ride Thing” in the app, which is a program designed for either students who have chosen to be a designated driver for the night, or for students of legal age who are using a designated driver when drinking.
When students commit to one of these two scenarios, they can join the program, “Get Wolf Tagged,” and become eligible for discounts. These dog (wolf) tags can be obtained by signing up at the Center for Student Engagement. For many students, the food aspect of the app is the most appealing.
“I was actually at Archie’s one night with no money and my friend told me I could get a free burger with this Nevada app,” sophomore Jake Thomas said. “So I downloaded it right away.”
Archie’s is the only option on the app’s list of restaurants with the word “free” making it the most popular.
Thomas was not wearing the required Wolf Tags and he was unable to receive a free dinner.
“I didn’t even care though,” Thomas said. “The fact that they even have the option for free food was enough for me.”
According to junior Sean Coppola, there are great lengths one will go to in order to receive free food.
“I downloaded the app because I heard about the free food, and it actually works” Coppola said. “I got a free burger from Archie’s just for driving my roommates over there one night.”
Renwick stated that the establishment of the app in spring of 2011 was made possible through the joint grants provided by Join Together Northern Nevada, a local substance abuse coalition, for the University Police Services and the Office of Student Conduct.
“The JTNN grants have given us the opportunity to improve our responses to alcohol related problems on our campus and in the surrounding community,” Renwick said.
According to Christine Adams, the marketing consultant for the app, the idea was to inform students while convincing them to keep using it.
Adams stated that now with the numerous other Nevada apps available, Be In The Know has been made less popular, but they are continuing to develop it.
Adams mentioned the possibility of providing more extensive options for things like season passes for the Aces.
“We want to educate students on things and keep them in the know,” Adams said. “We find it important to keep the app updated, so that’s why we are always looking to add more.”
Maddison Cervantes can be reached at mcervantes@sagebrush.unr.edu.