While the University of Georgia might have a reputation as a top “party school,” at least some students are putting partying on hold for spring break 2017, according to an informal poll conducted last week by JOUR 3190.

Of the 12 students interviewed, only two had plans of going to a beach during spring break; neither of which included the popular Panama City Beach.

While Panama City Beach has traditionally been the go-to destination for college students, recent legislation on alcohol bans for the beach have resulted in disinterest among many.

According to the Panama City Beach government website, Ordinance 1353 prohibits “the possession or consumption of alcohol on the Sandy Gulf Beach during the month of March.”

“I heard that the ban has caused a lot of college students to steer clear of Panama City Beach,” said Kwame Kessie, a fourth year engineering major from Stone Mountain, Georgia. “I also heard that it’s not a destination people want to go to anymore.”

Kessie, who said he has been on beach trips for spring break in the past, decided to go on a cruise to Mexico with his friends this year instead.

“I actually did a beach trip last year, and me and my friends decided that a cruise would be really fun and cost effective because everything would be included in the price of the cruise,” Kessie said.

The price of a spring break trip turned out to be a primary factor in seeking other plans for students like Adaobi Ugonabo, a third year public relations major from Stockbridge, Georgia.

Ugonabo decided to go on an IMPACT trip for her spring break, which is a service-based educational program hosted by UGA for college students who want an alternative option to the regular spring break experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“From a lot of people, I’ve heard that IMPACT trips are life changing and you meet people that you’re friends with for the rest of your life,” Ugonabo said. “It seemed like an interesting thing to do over spring break and you get to actually help people and get something out of it.”

Ugonabo also said that the cost for her to go on the IMPACT trip was around $155, which included housing, transportation and food.

Kayla Duncan, a second year animal science major from Atlanta, came to her decision on what she would do for spring break based on her personal preferences.

“Panama City Beach isn’t really my style,” said Duncan. “I’m more of a theme park kind of person.”

Duncan said she and a few of her friends plan on going to Orlando to go to a couple of parties and to visit the theme parks.

“We didn’t do anything last spring break and I know Orlando has a lot of fun theme parks,” said Duncan. “Orlando is just a common place that most people usually go to.”

Katie Peterson, a third year sociology and women’s studies major from Roswell, Georgia said she also planned to travel to Florida for spring break. She said she would be visiting her brother and going to Universal Studios.

Like Duncan, Peterson said the traditional Panama City Beach-like scene did not interest her.

“I’m not really that type of person,” Peterson said. “I mean I love to party, but I’m not one to be around a million people and be super crowded around a bunch of drunk a——s.”