Since the football team's 16-0 win over Maryland last weekend, the University has been preparing itself for the team's upcoming game against Miami on Saturday -- the last home game of the season.
Although a general feeling of excitement dominates Grounds, students said they are also concerned about the last home football game because of the tradition of "the fourth-year fifth," during which fourth-year students attempt to consume a fifth of alcohol or approximately 17 shots.
"I personally am so excited for the game this Saturday," second-year College student Yasemin Erseven said. "But it is also quite scary to think that some people will be way too drunk -- so drunk that they put themselves in danger."
Suleyman Ozbey, a 2004 Commerce School graduate, also said he is concerned about the implications of the tradition.
"I think that students should drink before football games," Ozbey said. "But not to the point that they have no recollection of the game."
Second-year College student Caitlin Vogus said she is happy to see that the administration is getting involved to stop the fatal repercussions of the tradition.
"I think it is pretty stupid since it can kill people, but I am sure some people will still do it," she said. "So I think it is a good thing that the administration is taking measures to discourage students."
Ozbey said he and many of his friends participated in the fourth-year fifth last year during the last home football game of the season.
"I couldn't get up early enough to do it though," he said. "Some people get up at 6 a.m. to start it off. I just couldn't do it. A lot of my friends did it -- I was sort of the one who had to help them out."
Fourth-year College student Lisa Cangelosi said none of her friends are planning to partake in the tradition.
"Most of my friends are planning to drink, probably more than usual," Cangelosi said. "But I don't think any of them are planning to finish a whole fifth."
Ozbey said he doesn't see the fourth-year fifth as a tradition that benefits the University.
"I like the fact that it's like a tradition, but I don't know if it's a good tradition for U.Va.," he said. "If it gets more and more dangerous with possible deaths and such, the University will have to take more severe measures to stop it."
Vogus said she doubts the fourth-year fifth is a genuine tradition.
"I don't even know how far back it goes," she said. "Like really. Dressing up for games has been around for a while. I don't know about this."
Ozbey also said he is a much bigger fan of dressing up than boozing it up.
"Since I graduated last year, people have started to wear orange rather than ties and stuff," he said. "I personally would have the tradition of dressing up for football games rather than finishing a fifth of alcohol."
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