Students considered ‘sheeplike’

by Jennifer Lash
For The Post

Counting sheep is no longer just a trick to fall asleep.

Today Ohio University students can count sheep on their way to class. And OU is counting on the sheep to draw attention to its latest campaign.

Live sheep are the newest addition to the OU campus as the Advocates for Critical Thinking kicks off its "Think Outside the Flock" campaign, said Frank Robinson, a member of the group.

The goal of the campaign is to promote critical thinking in students’ decisions about alcohol, Robinson said. ACT is an independent group using the symbol of flocking sheep to help students "think outside the flock."

Flock Party, the first video marketing the campaign, will be airing today on CATvision and the ACT Web site, www.outsidetheflock.com. The video also can be seen in the dining halls throughout the week.

"The video is creative and entertaining, and we also think there is a message there," Robinson said.

Alden Library will have mouse pads with the Think Outside the Flock logo at all of its computer terminals, and a banner above College Gate will help promote the campaign, Robinson said. Four new videos will appear by the beginning of November.

About 25 live sheep at the bottom of Morton Hill, information tents in the dining halls, bulletin boards in residence halls and signs around campus are meant to get students’ attention, Robinson said.

"We (residence assistants) are keeping our ears open to find out student reactions to the Think Outside the Flock campaign," said Courtney Cable, OU junior and Lincoln Hall resident assistant.

According to the campaign’s Web site, sheep were chosen because they display flock behavior. But the campaign is not calling students sheep.

"We (ACT) might offend some people with our campaign, but it’s not intentional," Robinson said.

People visiting Baker University Center Monday saw the first signs for the campaign.

"I don't think it's going to work better than any other campaign, but they are trying," said Keith Cousins, recent OU graduate.